HC Deb 16 March 1881 vol 259 cc1146-7
SIR R. ASSHETON CROSS

Sir, in the absence of my right hon. Friend the Member for North Devon (Sir Stafford Northcote), I desire to put two Questions to the right hon. Gentleman the Prime Minister. In the first place, it is the wish of a great number of hon. Members who are interested in the Army not to delay the discussion on going into Committee of Supply to-morrow night beyond a reasonable time. At the same time, there are a number of questions connected with the Army in which they are much interested; and they wish to have an assurance from the Government that an opportunity will be afforded of discussing those questions at a later period of the Session? The other Question has regard to the proposed Vote on Account. It is proposed to take a Vote on Account for three months' Supply. That is an unusual proceeding, and I think there will be considerable objections to it. Therefore, I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman at the head of the Government, Whether, considering all the circumstances of the case, the progress already made, and the readiness of the House to fall in with the views of the Government, he will not re-consider the matter, and consent to take a Vote for two months?

MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, in regard to the first Question put to me, I make no doubt that to-morrow will be turned to the best possible account for the discussion of Army questions. I am not able to give a precise answer as to future opportunities; but it is quite plain that sufficient opportunities ought to be afforded for discussing the great questions relating to the Naval and Military Establishments of the country. Therefore, while I should like to consult my right hon. Friend before making any specific reply, I think, in substance, I can answer the Question of the right hon. Gentleman in the affirmative. With regard to the Question of the Vote on Account, I am certainly under the impression that it is not very usual to ask for a Vote for three months; and the only justification for making our request I can state to the House is that we should bear in mind that, as far as the practical and ordinary Business of the Session is concerned, this Session, which began for the purpose of our labours on the 6th of January, did not really begin till the 14th of March. That was the real commencement of the Session. The right hon. Gentleman opposite is desirous that the term of the Vote should be reduced to two months; and after the manner in which the House in all quarters has shown a disposition to put forward the necessary Business of the country at a very considerable sacrifice of private convenience, I think it would be most ungracious on my part not to accede to the request unless the absolute necessities of the Public Service required it. There is, certainly, no absolute necessity for a Vote for three months. At the same time, I wish to point out that we have arrived at a time of the year when our financial arrangements must be considered. Immediately after we have got rid of the discussion on Candahar, everyone must feel that we shall have arrived at a time when it will be most important to go forward seriously with the submission of our proposals with regard to land in Ireland. That being so, I cannot anticipate any great progress in Supply between the month of March and Whitsuntide; and I think it will be our duty to make further progress with the Army and Navy Votes before we can attack the great and miscellaneous mass of Civil Service Votes. It is, therefore, possible that we may be obliged to ask for a second Vote of Credit; but, for the present, I willingly accede to the request of the right hon. Gentleman, to which, indeed, I should think it highly improper to demur.