§ SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOTask ed the Prime Minister, Whether he was aware that Supply was finished at three minutes to 12 o'clock last night; and whether, Supply being considered urgent by the right hon. Gentleman, he would take care on future occasions to have sufficient Votes in Supply placed on the Notice Paper to occupy the Committee till a later hour?
MR. GLADSTONEIn answer to the hon. and gallant Baronet, I have to say that, undoubtedly, we believed we had placed sufficient Supply on the Notice Paper to have occupied the Committee according to ordinary rule throughout the Sitting. Very strong pressure was, however, brought to bear upon the Government while they were going through the Votes, a large number of Members representing to them that it was highly desirable that what we call the Irish Votes should be postponed. Hon. Members must know that when requests of that kind are made by a considerable number of Members, and when no reasonable objection can be taken to them, it is the practice of all Governments to meet all those desires as far as it is possible. That is the sole reason why the discussion in Committee of Supply last night was not prolonged.