§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI beg to ask the Prime Minister a Question of which I have given him private Notice. I beg to ask him, in view of the fact that the Government majority of 140 was in the division of last night reduced 495 to under 40, and of the fact that a large number of the supporters of the Ministry voted only under severe pressure, and in fear of dissolution—[Cries of "Oh!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is now importing into his Question matter of debate.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTVery well, Sir; I shall only ask, Whether it is the intention of the Government to press further their Resolution which establishes the elôture by a bare majority?
MR. GLADSTONEIn the Question of the hon. Gentleman, as he has just given it, he call my attention to certain matters and allegations which he conceives to be of very pregnant importance with regard to the state of the Government majority; but in the Notice which he says he was good enough to send me, there is no reference to these great and important facts which he thinks it necessary to introduce as a preamble to his Question. With regard to the Question in the form in which I have received it, I have only to say, Sir, that the 1st Resolution is before the House in the form which the Government think best, and that we have no change in regard to the decision of last night to announce.