§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Notice of Motion relating to the Government of Ireland have precedence of the Orders of the Day."—(Mr. Gladstone.)
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS - BEACH (Bristol, W.)On this Motion, I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman a Question as to the continuance of the debate. I assume that it will be continued to-morrow, and that it will be for the general convenience of the House that it should be continued without interruption de die in diem. I have information, however, which leads me to think that there is no probability that it can be finished to-morrow, and therefore I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether Her Majesty's Government still intend to interpose the Budget between this Motion and the succeeding Motion of which the right hon. Gentleman has given Notice, or, whether some arrangement cannot be made by which 1036 this debate could be continued on Monday, when I should hope it might be concluded?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE): (Edinburgh, Mid Lothian)No tidings have reached me to the effect stated by the right hon. Baronet. I certainly think it would be very desirable that the debate should be brought to its conclusion continuously and as soon as may be convenient to the House; because, until the debate has been concluded, the Bill cannot be laid on the Table of the House, and hon. Members cannot have the most certain and authentic knowledge of its contents. I certainly hope that we shall be able to arrange for the continuance, if necessary, of the debate to-morrow. I admit that it is very desirable that it should be concluded as soon as possible; and if it be prolonged beyond to-morrow, we must consider what we can best do for the convenience of the Public Service. But if it be postponed beyond Monday, I would point out that the effect would necessarily be that I must postpone the introduction of the Bill relating to land, and that, I think, would be a very great disadvantage, because it is quite necessary that the two Bills should go together.
§ LORD CLAUD HAMILTON (Liverpool, West Derby)asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether, supposing the debate were adjourned early, he really proposed to proceed with the Railway and Canal Traffic Bill, which was the first Order?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. MUNDELLA) (Sheffield, Brightside)I have no such expectation.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Ordered, That the Notice of Motion relating to the Government of Ireland have precedence of the Orders of the Day.