§ SIR JOSEPH PEASEinquired whether any other measures than those referred to by the President of the Board of Trade would be set down at the Saturday Sitting?
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLwished to know whether the arrangement for the Saturday Sitting was dependent upon the Arrears of Pent Bill having passed before that day, inasmuch as there was an Order of the House, giving that measure precedence over all other Business whenever it was set down?
§ MR. MACIVERgave Notice that in the event of the second reading of the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill coming on that night after half-past 12, he would move the adjournment, in order that it might be taken at a more reasonable hour.
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, that he should, under no circumstances, ask the House to take the Arrears of Pent Bill on Saturday, as he did not think it would be reasonable to do so, considering the amount of time the House now devoted to the measure.
§ COLONEL MAKINSasked a Question arising out of the answer of the Prime Minister in regard to the Autumn Session. He understood the Prime Minister to give the House to understand that the only question to be taken into consideration during that Session would be the Rules of Procedure of this House. If that were so, he wished to ask whether it would be necessary for the House of Lords to sit?
MR. GLADSTONEI have no difficulty in answering the Question. It will not be necessary for the House of Lords to sit on account of anything that may be proposed or done with reference to the Rules of Procedure in this House. Of course, it will be within the discretion of the House of Lords to regulate its own proceedings as to adjournment, if it should think fit to have an adjournment at all.
§ MR. RYLANDSrose on a point of Order to ask the Speaker whether the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill could be taken after half-past 12, in the event of a Notice of objection to that Bill still appearing on the Paper?
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is aware, no doubt, that this Rule as to taking Opposed Business after half-past 12 does not apply to Money Bills. I must point out to the House that there is a difficulty in the way of taking the second reading of the Bill referred to and the Committee at the same Sitting.
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid, that he had understood the right hon. Gentleman to state his intention to do so.
§ MR. HEALYasked whether, in view of the protracted Obstruction offered to the Arrears of Pent Bill by the Conservative Party, the Government would propose Urgency in proceeding with that measure?
MR. GLADSTONEA great many hypothetical Questions have been put to me to-day. I have been desirous of escaping from them, and I hope I may be excused from answering this Question also.