HC Deb 28 April 1882 vol 268 cc1680-2
MR. MACFARLANE

asked the Prime Minister when it was intended to take the second reading of the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill?

MR. GLADSTONE,

in reply, said, that he hoped the second reading would be taken early next week. It would not, however, be taken on Monday or Tuesday.

MR. R. N. FOWLER

asked, whether there would be a Morning Sitting on Tuesday next?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, that he thought the announcement that was made by his noble Friend (the Marquess of Hartington) in his absence had been sufficiently explicit—namely, that it was the intention of the Government to ask for consecutive Morning Sittings on Tuesdays.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

Sir, I think it would be convenient if the House were better informed as to what is to happen on Tuesdays. The right hon. Gentleman has, in rather a remarkable manner, abstained from entering into a subject of high importance, the policy of the Government in regard to the maintenance of law and order in Ireland, and abstained even from answering a Question connected with it, because, as I understand, there will be an opportunity afforded on Tuesday for a full debate on that subject. I am not quite sure that I am aware of what opportunity the right hon. Gentleman refers to, unless it be the Notice of Motion given by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Wigton Burghs (Sir John Hay). If there is to be an important statement made on the part of the Government—and its importance can hardly be exaggerated—on the occasion of such a Motion, I wish to know whether we are to understand that it is to be put off till 9 o'clock, and, if so, what Business it is proposed to take at the Morning Sitting?

MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, we propose to take the question of Procedure continuously next week. As to the debate which may arise on Tuesday evening, if the House should be pleased to allow us to go on, I am not aware that it is likely to require to be a debate of great length and detail, although it may be difficult to say now what debate does not require to be pursued at great length and detail. But, so far as I can judge, I think there will be no inconvenience to the House in taking the discussion which has been referred to at the Evening Sitting. What I said, however, was that it was desirable that an answer to the Question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle (Mr. Joseph Cowen) should be given in a regular debate, when hon. Members would have an opportunity, if they wished, of commenting upon it.

MR. CHAPLIN

asked whether they were to understand that the Procedure debate would be taken continuously every Government night next week? Would the second reading of the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill be taken if the Procedure debate was not concluded?

MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, we propose to take it on Monday, and at the Morning Sitting on Tuesday. The Customs and Inland Revenue Bill will not be taken on Monday or Tuesday next. We hope to be able to state by Tuesday whether that Bill will be taken on Thursday or not.

MR. JOSEPH COWEN

said, that, in view of the important announcement which they were led to expect on Tuesday, he hoped the Prime Minister would reconsider his decision with respect to the Morning Sitting for Tuesday; and, in order to give the right hon. Gentleman an opportunity of doing so, he would ask him on Monday, Whether it would not be desirable to allow the Morning Sitting for Tuesday to lapse, so that they might have a full discussion on so important a question as the condition of Ireland?

MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, we have had debates on the condition of Ireland to the extent of nearly half, or more than half, the present Session; and, although this may be an important matter, it must be remembered that every matter of importance does not necessarily require a long and detailed discussion. In the view of the Government, there will be ample time for the discussion on Tuesday evening; and the other pressing subjects before us make it our duty, unless we wish the country to believe that we are paltering with them, to ask the House to give us Morning Sittings.