HC Deb 06 June 1890 vol 345 cc160-1
MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

I had intended to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, inasmuch as on the 20th May he stated— If it becomes necessary for the Government to make proposals for a farther extension of time, then the views of the Government with regard to the future progress of business may ho properly put forward, and on the 23rd May lie made such a proposal without giving the views of the Government, he will now, for the convenience of the House, make such a statement as to business as he did on the 17th June, 1889, when making a similar Motion to that carried on the 23rd May this year. In the absence of the right hon. Gentleman I will defer the question.

SIR A. BORTHWICK (Kensington, S.)

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can inform the House with reference to what took place on the Motion of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow earlier in the Session; whether his Government have given their attention to devising any means for enabling the House to rise for the Autumn Recess at an earlier period than has been the case on some recent occasions? I presume that the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the present state of public business gives a special interest to this question in the minds of hon. Members?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover Square

I may say that the Government have given their very serious attention to the matter which was raised by the Motion of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bridgeton earlier in the Session. The Government were urged to consider whether any means might be devised by which the House might rise at an earlier period of the Session. We have given attention to the matter, and my right hon. Friend the leader of the House will, in the course of a few days, submit proposals to the House.