§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH (Bristol, W.)Sir, we understood from the Prime Minister the other day that great public inconvenience would be caused if the debate on this Motion was prolonged over this evening. I need hardly say we have no desire whatever that any inconvenience should be caused. Assuming, therefore, that the debate is concluded to-night, and leave given to bring in the Bill, I would ask the right hon. Gentleman when the Bill will be circulated to hon. Members—whether it will be circulated to-morrow morning; and, if not, when?
§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)On the same subject, Sir, I wish to say that the debate has as yet been carried on by the two Front Benches, and by eminent Gentlemen who have been anxious to define their position—that position being one of hostility to the Bill. There are a considerable number of Gentlemen in this part of the House who are also anxious to express their opinions; and, therefore, I hope that the Prime Minister will not agree to the proposal of the right hon. Gentleman. I ask the Prime Minister whether he will be good enough to consider the inadvisability of agreeing to the suggestion made by the right hon. Gentleman to bring the debate to an end this evening?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE) (Edinburgh, Mid Lothian)In the course of the day—I have not had any knowledge of the appeal just made by my hon. Friend—certainly I have received information which assures me that it is impossible, in a Parliamentary sense of the word, to bring this debate to a close tonight. That being so, I hope it will be found practicable to conclude it to-morrow. That is as far as I am justified in expressing a hope. There are two things that I consider to be—again in a Parliamentary sense—almost essential. First of all, that the Budget should not be postponed until after Easter, it being a late Easter. That, I think, would be extremely undesirable. And, secondly, 1314 that I should likewise have an opportunity of introducing the scheme of the Government with respect to land. I consider that it is almost a matter of honour on our part that we should place before the House the whole of our policy, which is not before the House at this moment. That is the exact position in which we stand. The days available are to-morrow—and to-morrow I assume to be disposed of—Thursday, Friday, and Monday; and there are these two serious matters which I think it is really necessary to dispose of on two of these three days.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered my Question. Assuming that leave be given to bring in the Bill tomorrow, when will it be printed?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEI beg pardon. I do not think the Bill can possibly be circulated to-morrow. As far as I am aware, I cannot give a positive answer. Having seen the draft of the Bill in a mature state this afternoon. I should hope that it may be circulated on Wednesday morning, if leave is given to-morrow night; but I cannot speak positively.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHWill the Budget or the Land Purchase Bill be introduced on Thursday?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEThe Budget on Thursday, presuming the debate on the Government of Ireland Bill closes to-morrow. Subsequently the right hon. Gentleman said: In the event of our closing the debate to-morrow night, and of my right hon. Friend being able to make his Budget speech on Thursday, I do not think that the difference between having the Land Question on Friday or on Monday would be sufficient to warrant interference with the general course of Business. In that case, I should propose to make the statement relating to the Land Question on Monday next.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHI hope the right hon. Gentleman will consider a little further on that point; because it is obvious that, if the statement is made on Monday, it will be impossible to debate it at such length as is desired. The debate on the Government of Ireland Bill, as we see, is now going on for four nights.
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEYes, Sir; but the condition of time must be borne in mind. The draftsmen of the Government 1315 have been extremely hard pressed in the preparation of the Irish Government Bill. I must have in view the condition of their labours with reference to the production of the Land Bill. I have grave doubts as to whether I can make any further arrangement.
§ MR. FINCH-HATTON (Lincolnshire, Spalding)I beg to remind the right hon. Gentleman that he originally intended to introduce the Land Purchase Bill on Thursday.
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEI must point out that it is absolutely impossible for me to predict what precise progress will be made by the draftsmen on the Bill. So far as I am concerned, I shall be prepared to go on with the Land Bill on Thursday.