HC Deb 14 June 1883 vol 280 cc564-5
MR. GLADSTONE

I wish to say one word for the convenience of the House as to the course of Public Business. The hon. Member for Mid Lincolnshire (Mr. Chaplin) said ho would put a Question on the subject on Thursday; but the Notice did not appear. I have been led to make a good deal of inquiry on the subject, and I am led to believe that there is a considerable amount of desire that we should proceed with the Agricultural Holdings (England) Bill before the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Bill. [cries of "Yes, yes" and "No, no"] The Government confidently reckon on proceeding with both these Bills. The Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Bill will be taken this evening, also to-morrow; and on Monday I may be able to say whether the Agricultural Holdings (England) Bill may not have precedence. The only thing inadmissible is our going backwards and forwards from one Bill to the other. I will endeavour, as far as I can, to ascertain what is the feeling of the House. Probably tomorrow, at 2 o'clock, we shall be able to judge whether on Monday we shall take the Agricultural Holdings (England) Bill and go through with it, or continue in the present course with the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Bill. One of either course must be taken.

MR. H. FOWLER

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, having regard to the present state of Public Business, and the supreme indifference which the House showed to Motions brought forward by private Members on Tuesday and Friday evenings, the time had not arrived when the Government should take those nights for their own Business?

MR. GLADSTONE

I appreciate the motive of the hon. Member; but I must remind him that on Tuesday last we had a very useful discussion. The Government would like to have a little further experience before entertaining the question.

MR. CHAPLIN

reminded the right hon. Gentleman that ho had succeeded in obtaining first place on Tuesday, July 10th, for a Motion on the importation of diseased cattle from abroad. Considering the importance of that question, he hoped there would be no appropriation of Tuesdays by the Government till the House had had au opportunity of considering it.