§ MR. J. E. YORKEwished to ask the Prime Minister another Question on the 1638 same subject as that on which he had put a Question to the right hon. Gentleman yesterday—namely, in reference to the Notice of Motion he had given for the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the circumstances under which three Members of the House were released from Kilmainham Prison in May last. He had asked the right hon. Gentleman, in the first place, whether he would endeavour to prevent any of those Gentlemen with whom he had influence from putting down a Notice of opposition to his Motion; or, if he were unable to do that, and one of those Gentlemen put down a Notice of opposition, whether the right hon. Gentleman would give any of those facilities at his disposal for bringing on that Motion at a proper time? Yesterday, the right hon. Gentleman declined to contemplate the contingency of the Motion being opposed by any of his supporters; but since then a Notice of opposition had been placed on the Paper by the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Labouchere), a strong supporter of the Government. He now wished, therefore, to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it was his intention to give him a night for the discussion of his Motion? If the Prime Minister was not able to adopt that course, he would like to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman would place at his disposal any of those facilities of which he had spoken, and which he was able to extend to any Member having any important question to bring before the House?
§ MR. LABOUCHEREasked whether the Prime Minister contemplated granting any facilities for the discussion of that Motion; and, if so, whether the right hon. Gentleman would remember that he had also a Motion with reference to Mr. Bradlaugh; and he would ask whether the Prime Minister would give facilities for the discussion of his Motion before that of the wretched rhetorical—he did not know what to call it—absurdity of the hon. Member for East Gloucestershire?
§ MR. CALLANremarked, that he had blocked the hon. Member's (Mr. Labouchere's) Motion, and he should not withdraw that block unless the hon. Member for Northampton also removed the blocking Notice which he had given in regard to the question raised by the hon. Member for East Gloucestershire (Mr. Yorke).
MR. GLADSTONEThe hon. Member for East Gloucestershire put to me a very simple Question, and I informed him that it was impossible for me to interrupt the regular course of Business by breaking in upon our discussions upon Procedure; and in regard to that matter I believe I have followed one uniform course. A great number of subjects have been suggested for discussion, which would involve an interruption of the debates on Procedure; and one rule has been applied to them all by the Government. I presume the hon. Gentleman now repeats his Question of yesterday—namely, whether an arrangement will be made to break off the discussion before half-past 12 o'clock, to enable him to make his Motion? I hope he will not expect me to take any part in the debate on that Motion, because I have one fair day's business to do before I get to the House, and also a fair day's business to do in the House between half-past 4 and midnight; and I cannot undertake to join in the debate on the hon. Member's Motion after half-past 12; but I certainly will endeavour, on the first day on which it can be done without great inconvenience, to suspend the discussion on Procedure before half-past 12, so that he may have the opportunity of bringing forward his Motion.
§ MR. J. R. YORKEhoped that the right hon. Gentleman would kindly give sufficient previous Notice of the day on which he proposed to suspend the discussion on Procedure, otherwise it might be impossible for Members desirous of taking part in the debate on his Motion to be present to do so.
MR. GLADSTONEThe discussion on Procedure on a particular night may not be in a condition to be conveniently suspended before half-past 12. Suppose a Motion to have been made at a quarter-past 12, any hon. Member may speak beyond half-past 12. I could not undertake to suspend the debate on Procedure, for instance, while there might be in issue a question of importance that could not be interrupted without much inconvenience. All I can say is, that upon the first evening when, without such public inconvenience, it can be interrupted, I should be prepared to move the adjournment of the debate for the accommodation of the hon. Gentleman. I do not see what more it is in my power to do.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLMight I ask the Prime Minister, with respect to the Motion of the hon. Member for East Gloucestershire, whether he will take the usual steps to make it known among his followers that the Government would support the Motion?
§ MR. LABOUCHEREI would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that I have a Motion which takes precedence of that of the hon. Member for East Gloucestershire—a Motion in regard to Mr. Bradlaugh? And if any arrangement is made to suspend the proceedings, I am prepared to bring forward the Motion.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLI request an answer from the right hon. Gentleman to the Question I have put, for it is very inconvenient for hon. Members to be kept waiting day after day in expectation of the Motion being made.
MR. GLADSTONEI have given all the answer that it is in my power to give. I cannot undertake, whatever be the state of the debate on Procedure, to move that it be cut short for the purpose of bringing on a Motion of this nature.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLI did not ask that. My question was, whether the Prime Minister will take the usual steps to cause it to be understood among his Friends that the Motion is supported by the Government?
MR. GLADSTONEwas understood to say that he must decline to answer a Question which was of such an unusual
§ MR. J. LOWTHERI should like to ask the Prime Minister, at the same time, whether he recollects what took place the other day? He then challenged my hon. Friend to make the inquiry, which, in general terms, he promised to grant. [Mr. GLADSTONE: Were those my words?] I do not say those were the very words; but I ask him whether I do not correctly represent the substance of what passed then? It was understood that the right hon. Gentleman would facilitate the granting of such an inquiry; and I want to know whether, under the circumstances—my hon. Friend having accepted the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman, and given public Notice of the Motion of Inquiry which he intimated he would be prepared, if not to approve, at least not to disapprove, and Notice having been given of opposition to the Motion 1641 —he will take the usual steps, which are very well known to the House, to inform, hon. Members opposite that he is pledged to facilitate the granting of an inquiry; and, further, having regard to the fact that the Committee can only sit during the present Session of Parliament, whether he will give as early an opportunity as possible for the Motion?
MR. GLADSTONEWith regard to the first part of the Question of the right hon. Gentleman, I have already stated that, on the first convenient opportunity that the Business relating to Procedure can be broken off before half-past 12, I will move the adjournment for the hon. Gentleman's accommodation. With regard to the last Question of the right hon. Gentleman, which is a repetition of that of the noble Lord, which I just now declined to answer, I do not think it is proper that I should answer a Question repeated in that way.
§ MR. J. LOWTHERI only desire to place on record the fact.
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSasked whether, on Monday, the Prime Minister would be able to make some statement analogous to that which he had made with reference to the Motion on the subject of Mr. Gray's imprisonment?
MR. GLADSTONEI have made exactly the same statement with regard to both cases. It is a conditional engagement to suspend proceedings with a view of allowing the Motion with reference to Mr. Gray to be disposed of if it can be done without great public inconvenience in arresting some important discussion.
§ MR. J. LOWTHERWill the right hon. Gentleman fix Monday, subject to the same conditions, for the Motion of my hon. Friend?