MR. GLADSTONEI may state, Sir, with reference to the Business of the House, that it is proposed to take the Army Estimates on Thursday next; and I am in a condition to say, as I have ascertained from the authorities, that the Business of the House now permits us to commence, as usual about this time of the year, our regular and principal duties at a quarter-past, instead of half-past 4 o'clock. It will be requisite on Thursday next also to take certain Votes in Supply to put the Admiralty Department in funds; and we propose on that evening to take the Non-Effective Votes. We shall propose an early day for the discussion of the Navy Estimates, and I shall probably be able to name the day by next Thursday.
MR. FLETCHERasked the Secretary of State for War what Votes would be taken on the Army Estimates on Thursday, and whether the Medical and Non-Effective Votes would be taken?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, that he found that the Votes that stood next on the Estimates were Votes that would probably cause a considerable amount of discussion, though they were for a comparatively small amount of money. Should the discussion be prolonged, he feared they would scarcely have sufficient funds for the Public Service; therefore he thought the most convenient course on Thursday would be to ask the Committee to proceed to the Commissariat Estimates, and from that point to go through as much of the remaining Estimates as they were able 1429 to discuss. He should not propose to take the Medical Vote on Thursday, and the other Votes he should endeavour to obtain at as early a day as possible. The Non-Effective Votes would be taken as they reached them.
§ SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOTsaid, that the noble Lord had stated that he intended to put off the first few Votes of the Army Estimates because they were likely to invite discussion. He wished, therefore, to ask the Prime Minister whether, considering the very serious condition of the Army at the present time, he would name a day on which the House might have a discussion on the Vote for the Reserve?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONI have said that we shall name as early a day as possible for the discussion of the remaining Votes. I think, however, the hon. and gallant Member must have forgotten that we have already had a discussion of very considerable longth with respect to recruiting in the Army, and that the intentions of the Government have been announced. I do not think it would be for the convenience of the Public Service that there should be any further discussion. I quite admit, however, that a convenient opportunity should be afforded for the Medical and Reserve Votes.
§ SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOTsaid, he had asked the noble Lord privately when this Vote would come on, and he told him distinctly it would come on on Thursday. I t was a matter of very great moment to this country, and hon. Gentlemen opposite did not seem to care an atom what became of the Army. [Cries of "Order!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid, he must remind the hon. and gallant Member that he was not at liberty to debate the subject.
§ SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOTsaid, he must press the Prime Minister for an answer as to whether they could not have some assurance that the discussion should take place within a reasonable time?
§ COLONEL ALEXANDERsaid, that before the right hon. Gentleman answered the Question, he begged to remind the noble Marquess that in the answer he gave to the noble Lord the Member for North Northumberland (Earl Percy) on the 1st of June, he distinctly stated that upon the next oc- 1430 casion when the Army Estimates were under discussion an opportunity would be afforded for discussing the Reserve Vote.
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, that his noble Friend the Secretary of State for War had already indicated that an early day would be afforded for the discussion.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHsaid, he understood the right hon. Gentleman to say that on Thursday he would make an. announcement as to the day on which the Naval Estimates would be taken, and he would also like to ask him if He would, at the same time, be able to say when he would take the Vote for the Irish Land Commission, on which there would probably be considerable discussion?
MR. GLADSTONE, in reply, said, that on Thursday or Friday he hoped to be able to fix a day for the Naval Estimates. With regard to the Vote for the Land Commission, they should have regard to the possibility of discussion upon it; but he did not think he should be able to fix the date so soon as Thursday or Friday.
MR. GORSTasked the First Lord of the Treasury, whether he would undertake that the Vote for the Transvaal Commissioner would not be brought forward until he had announced the intention of the Government on the subject?
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, the best answer he could give at the present stage of affairs would be to say they would consult the general convenience of the House with regard to taking this Vote. He thought they ought first to endeavour to obtain information as to the period of the arrival of the Transvaal Commissioners in this country.