§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI wish to ask the Prime Minister, Whether the statements in the Liberal papers to-day are correct, that the Prime Minister intends to call a meeting of the Liberal Party to revive their drooping spirits-— ["Oh, oh!"]—and whether the right hon. Gentleman intends to make on Monday a formal statement with regard to the Business of the House? [Cries of "Do not answer!"]
§ SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOTI wish to ask the Prime Minister a Question, and it is this—When the Army Estimates will again be brought on? Considering the present grave condition of recruiting and the waste of the Army, and its effects on the efficiency and numbers of the Army and Reserve, the question deserves the serious consideration of this House; and I hope we may have some early day for discussing the matter.
MR. GLADSTONEI have no doubt that my noble Friend the Secretary of State for War will consider the language which has been used by the hon. and gallant Member; but we are not in a condition, at the present moment, to make arrangements for giving another night to the Army Estimates.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTPerhaps the Prime Minister will be good enough to say "Yes or "No" to the Question whether he intends to make a statement as to the Business of the House on Monday? [Cries of "Do not answer!"]
MR. GLADSTONEIt may be my duty, as I intimated yesterday, to make a statement shortly. I will make the best inquiries in my power to ascertain whether it will be for the convenience of the House that Tuesday next should be devoted to the second reading of the Agricultural Holdings Bill. In that case it will be my duty to say something on the matter. I do not know whether I shall make a statement on Monday; but it will be necessary to do so either then, or very shortly after, with reference to several important measures.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE said, he wished to know whether it had been settled positively that the second reading of the Agricultural Holdings Bill would be taken on Tuesday?
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLsaid, before that Question was answered, he wished to ask a Question with reference to a very important Notice that he had upon the Paper for Tuesday next, having regard to the condition of Egypt. The time had not come for another debate upon the political aspect of the question; but he appealed to the right hon. Gentleman whether the time had not come for the consideration of a question relating, not to Princes and Khedives, but to the social condition of the people of Egypt? The importance of the subject had been increased by the publication of 901 Lord Dufferin's Report. He had endeavoured to bring forward the question for the last two Sessions without any result; and he would appeal to the Prime Minister either to let him have an opportunity to bring on the question on Tuesday, or to give him another day.
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, the Government desired to proceed with the second reading of the Agricultural Holdings Bill on Tuesday. He understood the hon. and learned Member for Bridport (Mr. Warton), who had a Notice on the Paper for Tuesday, was in a compliant and complaisant mood, and disposed to promote the good purpose of the Government; and now his hon. Friend the Member for Kirkcaldy (Sir George Campbell) had signified, though in circuitous language, a similar intention. With regard to the appeal of his hon. Friend, he was sorry that he could not undertake to offer him the facilities he desired. He could only express the hope that he might be fortunate enough to secure another opportunity of bringing forward the question in which he was interested. Under those circumstances, he thought the House might take it for granted that next Tuesday would be devoted to the second reading of the Agricultural Holdings Bill.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLsaid, he must ask the right hon. Gentleman to give him liberty to reserve his decision in the matter.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEasked what Bills would be proceeded with that night?
MR. GLADSTONEMy right hon. Friend (Mr. Trevelyan) will proceed with the Poor Relief (Ireland) Bill.