MR. GLADSTONEPerhaps it would be convenient that I should now state the course of Public Business during the next week. This evening will probably be occupied with the second reading of the Criminal Code Bill, and we are not without hope that the debate will be brought to a conclusion this evening, and the Bill referred to a Standing Committee. Upon that assumption, I look a little forward, and wish to state that, in my opinion, the time has now come when the Message may be brought down from the Crown relating to our intention to propose a grant of certain annuities to Lord Wolseley and Lord Alcester, in recognition of their services in Egypt. In that case the regular course would be that it should be taken into consideration on Monday, when it would form the first Business. After that we propose to proceed with the Patents Bill, and if any part of the evening remains available, we shall go to the Business of Supply.
MR. GLADSTONE,in reply, said, he could not make any further declaration as to the course of Business until the Criminal Code Bill was read a second time.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he intended to proceed with the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)Not to-night, nor to-morrow; but I may be able then to say when I shall.
§ MR. BERESFORD-HOPEasked, when the next stage of the Ballot Act Continuance and Amendment Bill would be taken?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKE,in reply, said, that when the Bill next came on, and the Speaker left the Chair, he would not take the Hours of Polling Clause. He should not move that the Speaker do leave the Chair after 11 o'clock that night.
§ MR. ONSLOWasked, whether, if the debate on the Transvaal should not be finished to-morrow, it should be adjourned until the Tuesday or Friday following?
§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to give Notice that I shall oppose the grants of money to Lord Wolseley and Lord Alcester.
MR. GLADSTONEConsidering the nature of the proposal, and that it would arise on that of a Message from the Crown, is it not much better that my hon. Friend should be satisfied to oppose it when we introduce it in a Bill, when it would come forward regularly as an Order of the Day?
§ MR. LABOUCHERECertainly.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLI beg to give Notice that on the Votes for the grants to Lord Wolseley and Lord Alcester, I shall support the grant to Lord Wolseley, he having saved our money and lives; but I shall oppose the grant to Lord Alcester, on the ground that he only did his duty.
§ Subsequently,
MR. GLADSTONEstated that, in order not to keep hon. Members in uncertainty, he would now say that the Government would restrict themselves to Bills on Monday.