HC Deb 03 June 1886 vol 306 cc845-6
SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH (Bristol, W.)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether we may understand that the debate on the Government of Ireland Bill will terminate to-morrow evening?

MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that Question, I will ask him to take into consideration the fact that I have been given a list of 27 Gentlemen on this side of the House who are anxious to address the House in this debate. I have not yet had time to send that list to the right hon. Gentleman; but I contemplate sending it to him through the usual channels. In view of the allegations which have been made against Gentlemen who intend to vote for the Bill, that they are not actuated by conscientious motives, they think that they have a right, and that it is their duty, to address the House on this occasion.

MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers, I should like to add to that, that since entering the House I have spoken to more than 20 Members who sit around me here, and as they have not been sworn to reticence, as the noble Lord (Lord Randolph Churchill) has been, they are anxious to express their views.

MR. MOLLOY (King's Co., Birr)

On behalf of myself and several of my hon. Friends, I would say that we have a desire to take part in this debate, and that we intend to do so.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE) (Edinburgh, Mid Lothian)

I have made a good deal of inquiry since I last answered a Question on this subject; and I feel that it must be trying to hon. Members that this debate should go on from day to day without any fixed knowledge as to the time at which the division will be taken; and I have come to I the conclusion that if we could arrive at an understanding as to a positive time, Gentlemen would make some sacrifice in order to meet that arrangement, and that that would be much better than to leave the matter in a state of uncertainty. I have found that it would be extremely difficult, and most likely impossible, to terminate the debate tomorrow night; and what I propose to the House is that we should, by general consent, have an arrangement that it shall terminate on Monday night.