PARLIAMENT—BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.

HC Deb 02 May 1884 vol 287 cc1170-1

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

asked what would be the arrangement of Business for next week?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, they hoped to take the Army Estimates on Monday, and the Navy Estimates on Thursday.

MR. E. STANHOPE

asked what had become of the Merchant Shipping Bill?

MR. GLADSTONE

I have not understood that the Merchant Shipping Bill has foundered, or suffered any other particular accident, since the answer of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade upon the subject, which was to the effect that, as soon as the exigencies of Supply—in which, of course, Ways and Means must be understood—had been satisfied, a day would be named for proceeding further with the Bill.

MR. SEXTON

asked when the Committee on the Representation of the People Bill would be resumed?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, if the House agreed with the Motion he was about to make, he proposed to resume it at the Morning Sitting on Tuesday next.

LORD JOHN MANNERS

said, the Prime Minister's answer was inconsistent with that given by the President of the Board of Trade, who had said that he proposed to proceed with the Merchant Shipping Bill as soon as the Speaker had been moved out of the Chair on the Franchise Bill, subject only to the exigencies of Supply. Were they to understand that the statement of the President of the Board of Trade was set aside by the new proposal of the Prime Minister?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, the President of the Board of Trade had spoken in regard to the disposal of the time which was actually at the command of the Government, and his answer was exactly with reference to that time. But since their viewing carefully the state of Public Business, the Government felt obliged to make an additional demand. Consequently, the Merchant Shipping Bill did not enter in the same manner into the subject.

SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOT

asked after what hour the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Bill would not be taken?

MR. GLADSTONE

We have put aside effective Supply for the sake of this Bill; and undoubtedly we shall go on with the consideration of the measure if we have a chance before half-past 12.