HC Deb 11 August 1884 vol 292 cc446-7
SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

I wish to ask the Prime Minister if he can tell us whether the terms of Lord Northbrook's Commission will be laid on the Table of the House?

MR. GLADSTONE

I cannot tell when the Commission will be laid on the Table. I am not cognizant of the drafting.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

I beg to remind the right hon. Gentleman of a distinct pledge given by him the other day to the hon. Member for Newcastle (Mr. J. Cowen), that the terms of the Commission would be laid on the Table.

MR. GLADSTONE

Certainly, Sir; but what I say now is that I am not cognizant of the terms of it; that I do not know what stage it has reached, nor when the document will be laid on the Table.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

Will it be laid on the Table of the House during the Autumn Session or after it? I think it is only fair we should know.

MR. GLADSTONE

It is quite fair that the House should know; but the hon. Member cannot expect a definite answer, unless he gives Notice of the Question.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

I will ask the Question to-morrow.