COLONEL STANLEYasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, how soon he can inform the House of the probable cost of the recent Naval and Military operations in Egypt; and, whether it will be necessary to submit Supplementary Estimates for Army and Navy Services during the current financial year?
MR. GLADSTONEI hope to be able to make a short statement on Monday on the subject which will be sufficient for all practical purposes. Of course, it will partake of the nature of an Esti- 19 mate. There can be no account as yet; bat that short statement will, I think, meet the purposes of the right hon. and gallant Gentleman on the subject. With respect to the second part of the Question, it cannot yet be determined whether if will be more convenient to ask for a further Vote in the form of a Vote of Credit or in the form of a Supplementary Estimate. There is no intention and no need—indeed, it would not be a regular course—to ask for a further Vote during the present Session, as the funds at command of the Government under the direction of Parliament and under the existing law are ample for the purpose.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLI wish to ask if the right hon. Gentleman, when he makes that statement, will move the adjournment of the House, in order to allow the question to be discussed; or whether, under the New Rules, Ministers of the Crown enjoy privileges which are not allowed to ordinary Members?
MR. GLADSTONEI shall exercise no privilege on Monday. I do not know whether the right hon. and gallant Gentleman will renew his Question on Monday; but my statement will simply be an answer to the Question which has been put to me to-day.