MR. ASHTON DILKEasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, bearing in view the fact that the present "Urgency" Rules only apply to measures of an exceptional character, and do not in any way further the progress of ordinary legislation, it is the intention of the Government to propose any modification of the forms of the House to apply when business is not urgent, with a view to facilitating legislation on the many and grave questions in which the Country is interested?
MR. GLADSTONEIn answer to this Question, I desire to say that Her Majesty's Government have not arrived at any positive conclusion with respect to new arrangements for conducting the Business of the House, beyond the new system which has been adopted with regard to "urgency;" and I do not 1384 think it is probable that we shall arrive at such a conclusion until we see a much better opening than the present state of our immediate engagements could afford for submitting it to the House. At the same time, on my own behalf, and I believe on the part of my Colleagues, I may say that I quite agree in the opinion intimated in the Question, that these restrictive measures having reference to "urgency" do, by no moans, cover the whole of the case; and that it is a subject well deserving the consideration of the Government and of Parliament what new arrangements can be adopted for the purpose generally of enabling the House of Commons to discharge its numerous and arduous duties more efficiently and with less delay and arrear than is now possible.