HC Deb 04 June 1883 vol 279 cc1648-9
SIR DRUMMOND WOLFF

asked at what time the Report of Supply would be taken that night?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, while answering that Question, he might as well state the course they desired for Public Business during the week. The House was aware that they commenced with the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Bill. After that the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill would be taken. If these, or either of them, were got through in sufficient time to enable him to redeem the pledge given the other night to the noble Lord (Lord Randolph Churchill), they would then take the Report of Supply. But he thought the noble Lord would see that it should not be brought on after 12 o'clock unless with the full concurrence of the House generally; but he did not think there would be any occasion for detaining the noble Lord very long in regard to that matter. Tomorrow their Business would depend upon the progress made with Bills tonight. If they disposed of both Bills to-night, they should propose to go on to-morrow at 2 o'clock with the Police Bill; but if the two Bills for to-night were not disposed of, they would tomorrow proceed with the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill as the first measure. As to ulterior proceedings, they must be contingent on the progress made with the Bills he had mentioned. Presuming they had the second reading of the two Bills to-day, then they should propose to go into Committee upon the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Bill on Thursday; and in that event they should propose to take the Committee on Annuities to Lord Alcester and Lord Wolseley as the first Business on Friday at 2 o'clock, resuming afterwards the Committee on the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Bill.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

said, then the Committee on the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Bill was to precede that on the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, they were not absolutely bound to that course. It was convenient to the House that the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill should not go into Committee this week; but they had no absolutely fixed view on the subject.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

wished to point out that the course proposed by the right hon. Gentleman left a very short time between the second reading of the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Bill and the Committee stage. It would hardly give time to put Amendments on the Paper, especially this week, when it was not convenient for everybody to be present. He thought that the Committee on the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Bill should not be taken this week.

MR. GORST

asked whether many of the Amendments had not been thoroughly discussed during last Session?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, he wished to consult the general convenience of the House. In his opinion, there were more Corrupt Practice Members—if he might so call them—present this week than Tenant Compensation Members. But there was much force in the remark which fell from the hon. and learned Gentleman below the Gangway. However, in any case, they had plenty of matter ready to engage the attention of the House.

SIR HERBERT MAXWELL

asked after what time the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill would not be taken?

MR. GLADSTONE

Not after a very late hour.