§ MR. FIRTHasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Government 1437 still hope and expect to be able to introduce the London Government Bill to the consideration of the House during the present Session; and, whether, in arriving at a decision on this point, they have considered the enormous evils and loss attendant upon leaving the various questions of Metropolitan reform, and especially the quest of London water supply, still unsettled?
MR. GLADSTONESir, to the latter part of this Question, I have no hesitation in saying that I regard the further postponement of the consideration of this subject as a serious public evil and inconvenience. Respecting the first part of the Question, I thankfully acknowledge the patience my hon. Friend has shown in connection with this subject; but I am sorry to say I must ask him still further to exercise that patience until we shall have made further progress with the Affirmation Bill. On the latter subject, as it is very doubtful whether those who are opposed to the Bill will have laid their sentiments sufficiently before the House this evening, I wish to remind the House of the practice of continuing de die in diem, not including Wednesdays, in order to accelerate the conclusion of these very prolonged debates. Should the debate not close to-night, I hope the House will not think it unreasonable if I move to-morrow that it take precedence of the Notices of Motion.
§ MR. HOPWOODsaid, that he had a Motion on the Paper for Tuesday night which interested a great number of people, and he wished to know whether he had understood the right hon. Gentleman aright; if so, would the right hon. Gentleman propose his Motion with reference to precedence that night or on Tuesday?
§ MR. P. A. TAYLORDoes the Prime Minister intend to crush the question alluded to by my hon. Friend out altogether, or leave it to the chance of a 9 o'clock Sitting?
MR. GLADSTONEThe practice to which I alluded was not that of taking Morning Sittings, but was a practice adopted under circumstances of great necessity and public interest, and such necessity has driven me to ask for the appropriation of the evening in order to forward the debate which constitutes, for the moment, the main Business of the House. That Motion will be made at 1438 the commencement of the Business tomorrow.
§ MR. CHAPLINIn the event of the Prime Minister to-morrow moving to appropriate the private Members' night, I beg to give Notice that I will oppose it.
§ MR. HICKSasked whether the Government would not see the propriety of putting the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill, to which there were important Amendments, as the First Order of the day on Tuesday?
MR. GLADSTONEI am sorry that the state of Business does not allow us to hold out any expectation of placing the Bill as the First Order.