HC Deb 10 July 1882 vol 271 cc1961-2
MR. A. J. BALFOUR

asked the Prime Minister, Whether, in consequence of the division on Friday night, he had reconsidered his personal position?

MR. GLADSTONE

The time, I apprehend, has not come—and the hon. Gentleman might have known it had not come—for me to make a statement on the subject, which I can only do after the Questions have been put.

MR. SEXTON

I wish to ask the Home Secretary a Question in reference to this statement which appears in an eminent provincial journal:— The defeat of the Government is attributable to Mr. Goschen. He had been arranging the cabal for the last ten days. He made his speech to-night, and having done his Leader as much harm as he could, he ran away. It is also certain that a hint was given from the Cabinet, inasmuch as the Prime Minister had acted over the head of the Home Secretary and without the previous consent of the Cabinet. I wish to ask the Home Secretary whether, so far as he is concerned, that statement is accurate?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

Sir, I shall give no answer to that Question.