HC Deb 22 July 1881 vol 263 c1617
MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

wished to ask, Whether the Government would give facilities for the discussion of a Motion of his which now stood first for the 2nd of August, relating to a question of greater importance than the Land Law (Ireland) Bill? The Motion declared that all trade within the limits of the British Empire ought to be free.

MR. GLADSTONE

said, he was not aware that the Government were in the possession of facilities to give. Before they could give them they must be in possession of them.

MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

Am I to understand that, if the Land Law (Ireland) Bill be finished before the 2nd of August, the Government will not take that day for their Business?

MR. GLADSTONE

No, Sir; I by no means said anything of that kind. It is a very good rule for a Government to give no answers to Questions depending upon a hypothetical basis.

MR. J. COWEN

In the event of the Land Law (Ireland) Bill being concluded before the House rises this evening, is it the intention of the Government to take Supply afterwards?

MR. GLADSTONE

Yes, Sir.

MR. J. COWEN

Is it, then, the intention of the noble Lord (Lord Randolph Churchill) to go on with his Motion respecting Tunis?

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

If the Government take Supply before 10 o'clock, I will bring my Motion on; but not if the Land Law (Ireland) Bill goes beyond that hour.