§ MR. RITCHIEasked, Whether the Bankruptcy Bill would be taken on Friday next; and, if not, when it would be taken; and also, looking at the late period of the Session, whether the Government proposed to proceed with the Petroleum Bill this Session?
MR. GLADSTONE, in reply, said, he was not aware whether his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Chamberlain) had yet completed the inquiries he was to make, as to the state of opinion and the view of the House, on which would depend their disposition to go forward with those clauses in the Bankruptcy Bill that were most likely to create difficulty. He would endeavour, to-morrow, at 12 o'clock, to put himself in a position to answer the Question; and with regard to the Petroleum Bill, he must refer the hon. Member to his hon. Friend the Representative of the Home Department.
§ MR. HIBBERTsaid, by way of explanation, that, as to the Petroleum Bill, it was now before the House of Lords, and had been referred to a Select Committee. He was unable to say whether it would be proceeded with this Session.