§ SIR A. ACLAND-HOODI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when it is intended to bring in the Bill for shortening the duration of Parliaments, mentioned in the Speech from the Throne?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE,) Edinburgh, MidlothianThe Government have no expectation of being able to introduce during the present Session the Bill for shortening Parliaments.
§ SIR A. ACLAND-HOODMay I ask whether this measure was not one of the three mentioned in the Queen's Speech to be introduced promptly, and whether we are to take in future, on the high authority of the right hon. Gentleman, that promptly means within 15 months?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEI suppose all the measures mentioned in the Queen's Speech are invariably introduced into Parliament with a view to being dealt with promptly; but Governments are human, arid, being human, they are liable to disappointment like other people, and that disappointment has been endured by the present Government in regard to the passage of Bills during the present Session.
§ MR. BARTLEYCan the right hon. Gentleman give the name of any measure mentioned in the Queen's Speech that will be dealt with promptly?
§ [No answer was given.]