HC Deb 01 May 1884 vol 287 cc1062-3
MR. HENEAGE

asked, when the Government intended to proceed with the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Bill?

MR. GLADSTONE

There will be no opportunity of going forward with that subject to-night; but the Government are very anxious to bring this and some other matters to an early conclusion, and to expedite the Business of the House. For this reason, I shall have to-morrow to make a further proposal to the House on the subject of Morning Sittings. Complaint has been made by my hon. Friend the Member for Hertford (Mr. A. J. Balfour), and by others, that no opportunity is given of deciding the question of Morning Sittings, at a proper time, and that the practice of deciding them one by one, at a late hour of the evening, is not always satisfactory and sufficient. Therefore, I propose to meet his views, and to move to-morrow that until the end of June, the House shall meet on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2o'clock, and I trust the judgment of the House on the subject will then be fairly taken. One of the prime objects we have in view is to take the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Bill, to which my hon. Friend refers.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

Will there be a Morning Sitting tomorrow?

MR. GLADSTONE

We shall not ask for a Morning Sitting to-morrow. The proposal will be made before the Orders of the Day. We shall take the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Bill if possible to-morrow.

MR. BROADHURST

I would appeal to the right hon. Gentleman to give facilities for making a House on Tuesday night for the discussion of the Motion in regard to Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister, with regard to which both sides of the House take a great interest.

MR. GLADSTONE

My hon. Friend the Member for Stoke need be under no apprehension. It is certain that when that Motion comes on there will be a House.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I beg to give Notice that I shall oppose the Motion to take Morning Sittings.

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

Would the Prime Minister inform the House, whether his Motion will also include the proposal that all Select Committees, all Private Committees, and all Grand Committees are to suspend their Sittings at 2 o'clock on Tuesdays and Fridays?

MR. GLADSTONE

No proposal will be made on that subject. The ordinary Rules will remain in force.

MR. SCLATER-BOOTH

In what shape does the Prime Minister propose to bring forward the Motion to-morrow?

MR. GLADSTONE

The only precedent is that of the course adopted by Mr. Disraeli, in 1867, who moved that until the end of June, the House should meet at 2 o'clock on Tuesdays and Fridays. My Motion will come before the Orders of the Day in accordance with that precedent.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

What was the date when that Motion was made?

MR. GLADSTONE

It was made on a late day in May, instead of an early day as we propose.