HC Deb 20 July 1882 vol 272 cc1097-8
SIR MASSEY LOPES

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, If he can now state what steps have been taken with reference to the unanimous acceptance of the House, on 13th May 1881, of the Resolution declaring it advisable— That the functions of the Executive Government which especially relate to Agriculture and Commerce should. as far as possible, be administered by a distinct Department, and be presided over by a responsible Minister of the Crown?

MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, the hon. Baronet is quite justified in putting this Question, for undoubtedly the Government were under a pledge to proceed with this as with many other subjects during the course of the present Session, and they would have been quite prepared to do so. We had, indeed, before Lord Spencer left for Ireland, a general outline of our proposal; but a measure for altering the functions of a Department I must consider as falling within the same category, practically, as a Bill of the Government; and I am sorry to say that in the present state of Business we have been obliged to drop everything except what is of immediate necessity, or where there is little difference of opinion, as the Corrupt Practices Bill, which represents almost the universal desire of the House. We should not feel justified in asking the House to consider this matter during the present Session.

MR. MONK

May I ask whether my right hon. Friend would be prepared to make any recommendation to the House before the end of the Session?

MR. GLADSTONE

My answer would be to say that this subject must, so far as the Government is concerned, drop along with so many of the other engagements which we have been obliged to abandon.