MR. GLADSTONEIn connection with the Business of the House, I am obliged to state, on the part of the Government, that it would be extremely difficult for them to fulfil, as to time, the engagement under which I am aware we lie to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Westminster (Mr. W. H. Smith), and the House, to make a statement on naval affairs on Monday next. It has really not been possible for us, with what we have had on hand, to give the requisite attention to the subject. We might be ready on a later day in the same week; but I am advised that, on the whole, it will be more agreeable to the convenience of Members if the question did not come on next Monday, but were put off for a week rather than two or three days. I, therefore, hope the House will allow us under the circumstances in which we stand—it has not really been owing to any indifference or neglect of ours—to postpone that statement for a week.