HC Deb 19 March 1883 vol 277 cc807-8
MR. JESSE COLLINGS

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, having regard to the delay which is taking place in the legislation promised by the Government, and the dissatisfaction which exists in the Country, in consequence of such delay, he will give an assurance that the present Session of Parliament will be continued until the measures named in the Speech from the Throne have been considered and disposed of?

MR. ONSLOW

said, he rose to a point of Order. He thought this was a very argumentative Question indeed; and he would suggest that, if the Speaker should rule it to be in Order, the hon. Gentleman should, after the word "dissatisfaction," substitute for the words in the Question the following— Which in his belief is the opinion of a certain body of men, of whom he is the able head—namely, the Birmingham Caucus. [Cries of "Order!"]

MR. SPEAKER

The Question of the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Jesse Collings) certainly does appear to be of a somewhat argumentative character; but, at the same time, I am not disposed to accept the correction of the hon. Member for Guildford (Mr. Onslow).

MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, as far as I have observed, under cover of the words "having regard to," or else "in view of," or "considering," or some other ingenious interpolation, almost any Question can be so framed as to convey the entire views of the questioner upon certain subjects. With regard to the Question of my hon. Friend, the House is in a position of considerable difficulty with respect to its Business; but I must remind him that, although we are close upon Easter, the House has not yet sat five weeks. And I must further remind him that we have not yet reached the point at which we have taken the first step for the purpose of trying the very important experiment of working our Business through the medium of Committees of greater scope, strength, and authority than we have been used to. Until we have reached a somewhat more advanced period, and can form some judgment as to the working of that experiment, I think it would be inexpedient, and certainly at this period of the Session it would be quite unusual, to make any definite declaration with regard to the Business of the House.