§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLIt will be in the recollection of the House that the Prime Minister, in the debate of Monday night, said, in reference to a statement which I made about the announcement to the House of the 13th of March, that he would wish to have time to examine into that matter; that he would reserve the point, and that he would take a further opportunity of explaining it to the House. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is now in a position to make that statement in regard to a matter of great moment and seriousness?
MR. GLADSTONEI am sorry the noble Lord puts in these things—"a matter of great moment and seriousness." I should have looked into the matter had I been able; but I have 1041 been totally unable to do it, my time having been incessantly occupied.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLMay I ask the Prime Minister whether he does not agree that a point which is so important that he is unable to give an answer to it at the time is a matter "of great moment and seriousness?"
§ [No reply.]