§ MR. J. W. BARCLAYI wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he intends to proceed with the Scotch Universities Bill, and if so, after what hour he will not proceed with it? I take this opportunity of informing the right hon. Gentleman that several Notices in regard to this Bill were dropped from the Paper in consequence of the statement formerly made on the subject.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH)I do not quite understand whether the hon. Member intends to state that the opposition to this Bill is diminishing or increasing.
§ MR. J. W. BARCLAYWhat I say is, that in consequence of the statement made by the right hon. Gentleman last week—not saying decisively, but indicating—that the Government had abandoned the Bill, the Notices have been allowed to drop in the expectation that the Bill would not be allowed to go on. What I ask now is, does he intend to proceed with the Bill?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI stated that as far as I could learn the feeling of the hon. Members 1633 for Scotland on the subject, the opposition was such that it would be impossible to proceed with the Bill; but I have heard since that that opposition is decreasing. Although we do not propose to proceed with it to-night, we would like to keep it amongst the Orders for to-morrow night to see what chances it may have.
CAPTAIN AYLMERasked, when the Government would take the Land Purchase Bill in the House of Commons?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI am afraid I cannot name a day at present.
§ MR. PARNELLasked the Government, whether a day had yet been definitely fixed for the Queen's College Estimates?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir WILLIAM HART DYKE)said, it would be impossible to say. He was afraid to take the Votes to-morrow; but he would be able to tell the hon. Member before the evening was over.
§ MR. BUCHANANasked, whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer would secure that the discussion in connection with the Telegraph Amendment Act should not prevent him bringing forward his Motion in regard to Heriot's Hospital?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, in reply, said, that the Government would not take any Order that would throw the hon. Member later than half-past 12 o'clock; but it would be no use declining to proceed up to that time with their own Bills, though they would not proceed with anything after the Telegraphs Bill if it was likely to carry them beyond half-past 12 o'clock.