HC Deb 24 February 1882 vol 266 cc1538-9
SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

asked the right hon. Gentleman at the head of the Government, if the adjourned debate on the New Rules of Procedure were not taken to-night, when that debate was likely to be resumed?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, that, at the present moment, he could not state anything on that point; but if he was able to form an estimate in the course of the evening he would communicate it to the House.

MR. LABOUCHERE

asked in what order the Votes in Supply would be taken that evening? Last night the House went on discussing the Irish Votes till about 1 o'clock, when some Irish Members suggested that English Votes should be taken; and some of the latter, involving controversial matters which required discussion, were proceeded with in the absence of English Members who desired to speak upon them.

MR. RYLANDS

said, he wished to call the attention of the noble Lord the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the fact that about 1 o'clock that morning the hon. Member for Dungarvan (Mr. O'Donnell) moved to report Progress, and that upon the assurance given by the Prime Minister that no contentious Vote should be discussed the Motion to report Progress was withdrawn. He asked how it happened then that, after that assurance, which led a number of Members to leave the House, Vote 23, upon which a question was raised, was not at once withdrawn, but a division allowed to be taken in the absence of hon. Members?

LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISH

, in reply to the first Question, stated that the Irish Constabulary Votes must lie taken in a short time; and, therefore, it was desirable that they should be the first Votes taken in Committee of Supply. With respect to the undertaking given last night, he was in the recollection of hon. Members present if he did not at once withdraw any Vote to which objection was taken.

MR. SCHREIBER

asked the noble Lord whether he could mention the hour after which Supply would not be taken that night?

LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISH

said, he believed it was well known to every Member that Supply was to be taken that evening; but he did not think it advantageous at that period to name the hour after which Supply should not be taken.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

asked the Prime Minister if it would be necessary to carry out his threat of a Saturday Sitting?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, he would not ask the House to meet on Saturday, except under absolute necessity in reference to obedience to the law. He was very unwilling, however, to give a pledge that the House should not meet, if it was to land the Government in the condition of disobeying the law. But, looking at all the circumstances of the case at the present moment, there ought to be no necessity for a Morning Sitting on Saturday.