HC Deb 14 March 1882 vol 267 cc895-6
MR. MONK

I beg to ask the Prime Minister, Whether, considering the public scandal which would arise from this House being counted out on three consecutive Tuesdays, the Government will endeavour to keep a House to-night to enable private Members to bring on their Motions?

MR. GLADSTONE

, in reply, said, it would be impossible for the Government to take any measures with that end in view. If they were responsible for keeping a House on one Tuesday, they would become responsible for every Tuesday, a task which manifestly no Government would undertake.

MR. ONSLOW

asked the Prime Minister if the discussion on the clôture Resolution would be the first Order of the Day on Monday, or would the Be-port of Supply be taken?

MR. GLADSTONE

I have not considered the subject yet. I am not sure that we may not get the Report of Supply before Monday.

MR. HEALY

inquired whether the clôture Resolution, when passed, would not be enforced during the discussion of the remaining Resolutions; and whether, to avoid such a contingency, the Prime Minister would propose the suspension of the operation of the 1st Resolution until the others were passed?

MR. GLADSTONE

To suspend the operation of Rule 1 would require a separate Resolution; and I am not inclined to multiply Resolutions without a strong reason.