§ MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHYasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, seeing that the House has already been counted out on many successive Tuesdays this Session, he will endeavour to secure the keeping of a House on such days in the future, so that the remaining Tuesdays of the Session may not also be wholly or mainly lost to the business of the Country?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, I have to say it is impossible for the Government to undertake the responsibility for the performance of duty which certainly devolves upon the House itself. I believe it never has been considered that it is part of the duty of the Government to keep a House on Tuesday nights. If hon. Members do not take sufficient interest in the matters which are brought forward by independent Members, I do not think it is in the power of the Government to obviate the consequences. In fact, I am assured that it has been found to be absolutely impossible, when the attempt has been made, to secure the attendance of Members who might be willing to come to facilitate the progress of Government Busi- 1037 ness. They do not feel themselves bound to keep a House for independent Members. I have, however, to add that, partly in consequence of what has occurred, partly with the desire to obviate a further waste of time from such a cause, and partly, further, for the purpose of endeavouring to make some progress with the important measures the Government have on hand, we propose on Tuesday next, and on subsequent Tuesdays, to ask the House to sit at 2 o'clock. I would also add that I understand, on the authority of the authorities of the House, that sufficient progress has now been made with the transaction of Private Business to enable the House to meet for the transaction of Public Business somewhat earlier than it has hitherto done, and on Monday next, in the opinion of Mr. Speaker, the Public Business may be commenced at a quarter past 4 o'clock.
MR. GORSTasked, Would the House have an opportunity of expressing an opinion on their proposed Tuesday Morning Sittings?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, he did not think it was usual to make a Motion for the House to meet on Tuesday. The House usually ordered the consideration of a certain Bill to take place at 2 o'clock. He would not postpone any Bills for that purpose to-night. There was no intention of taking Friday Morning Sittings.
§ In reply to Sir STAFFORD NORTHCOTE,
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, that he was not able at that time to say what Government Business would be taken next Tuesday.