§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI wish to ask the Leader of the House, Whether, in view of the fact that a Motion of mine, which occupied the first place on the Paper to-day, has been seriously affected by the appointment of a Morning Sitting, and of the fact that this is the fourth occasion on which the Government have taken my day, and thereby prevented the important subject to which my Motion relates from being brought forward, and in view of the gravity of the news received this morning with regard to Madagascar, that the French intend to send 6,000 troops to drive the British traders and missionaries out of the country, the Government will assist me, not in keeping, but in making a House at 9 o'clock this evening?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONI stated yesterday that I regretted very much that the Government should, on account of the peculiar position of the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Bill, have been compelled on several occasions to ask the House to give a Morning Sitting at a very much earlier date than is usual. The House has consented to do so, as I understand, entirely in consequence of the general opinion which prevails as to the necessity of pressing forward that Bill with as little delay as may be possible without interrupting the other Business before the House. It was for the House to say whether or not it would accept the suggestion made by the Government on j that point; and the House has, with considerable unanimity, thought it desirable to make that sacrifice. In the circumstances, I do not think the Government are called upon to make any unusual or extraordinary exertions to facilitate the making or the keeping of a House in the evening for private Members. It is generally understood that on Tuesday evenings Gentlemen who have Notices on the Paper rely on the attendance of their own Friends, and the interest of the subjects they bring forward. I do not think it will be in the power of my noble Friend the Secretary to the Treasury to put such pressure on our Friends on this side of the House as will justify us in saying that it will be in the power of the Government to secure the making of a House if the hon. Member's own Friends will not help him to do so.
§ MR. ASHMEAD - BARTLETTsaid, that in consequence of the unfair reply of the noble Marquess he would call attention on an early day to the way in which the Government infringed upon the rights of private Members and obstructed the Business of the House.