§ MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to the importance and the number of measures in the Queen's Speech, steps will be taken to promptly bring the Debate on the Address to a conclusion?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE,) Edinburgh, MidlothianWith regard to the general question, I must say that I do think the time has arrived when we must consider some special measures with a view of arriving at the consideration of 910 one at least of the measures announced in the Queen's Speech. I believe that we have been thought by many hon. Members to be rather slack in this matter, in not having made any communication on that subject, but we were unwilling to do anything which might be supposed to indicate a disposition on our part to check hon. Members in their liberty of discussion on the Address. What determined us, in the first instance, to give notice of the Motion to suspend the Twelve O'clock Rule to-night and to-morrow was that was deemed to be the mildest measure to adopt as compared with any other proceeding for accelerating the Business of the House. At the same time, a measure of that kind cannot be pushed too far, Bur repeated too often. It has, however, often been adopted on single occasions, and, I think, has proved useful. The right hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. J. Lowther) pointed out that with regard to all interesting Motion of which he huts given notice, he would very much object to its being discussed at a period of the night when there was no possibility of having our proceedings sufficiently reported. I may say with regard to that Motion that I hope we may be able to offer explanation, when the right hon. Gentleman makes his statement, which he and the House might consider to be satisfactory. I must admit that I have grave doubts whether the first of the plans suggested—namely, the suspension of the Twelve o'clock Rule to-night and to-morrow—will be adequate to the occasion, for I am sorry to say I now hear conversation to the effect that the Address may be prolonged so as to prevent the bringing in of the Bill for the better government of Ireland on Monday I frankly admit that I think that measure ought to come on on Monday, and that the Debate on the Address, which has been going on front duty to day, ought not to be prolonged until Monday next. That measure has been denounced by the other side of the House in anticipation in the most violent terms—well, I will not say that—but it has been denounced in very strong terms. It is constantly stated that we endeavour to evade this question. It is a question of the most vital and consummate importance; and it is stated, on the other hand, that it is of itself enough to occupy the whole of 911 this Session of Parliament. Undoubtedly the mass of the people of Ireland, it cannot be denied, look to it with intense interest—and those who support the Government look to it with an interest which is hardly less. Then I may say without unfairness that I have observed in various speeches on the other side of the House a great desire for tile production of the measure as a step which is likely to lead the Government into greater difficulty. On all of these grounds I have come to the conclusion that if we cannot secure the adoption of the Address on Friday night it will he our duty, rather than postpone for half a week—Which is not a very short period in Parliamentary time—the introduction of the statement on the Irish Government Bill, to appeal to the house, now in its youth and vigour and all the freshness of its patriotism, to signalise its character and give promise of its future zeal by an early exercise of self-denial in the appointment of a meeting On Saturday.
Mr. J. LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)Sir, in answer to the right hon. Gentleman, I may say I am most anxious to facilitate the early introduction of the Government measure referred to by the right hon. Gentleman, but I must ask him to undertake that my Motion shall be taken at a time when it can be fully discussed, and upon some other day than Saturday, because I, for one, shall certainly not be a party to bringing forward the Motion upon so inconvenient a day. Will the right hon. Gentleman entertain a very fair proposal which I make in all sincerity, with the view of expediting the course of Public Business. I am, of course, bound to relax no effort to secure the fair discussion of the Motion for which I have made myself responsible, and the importance of which the right hon. Gentleman and his colleagues must clearly recognise. The proposal I have to make is that if the right hon. Gentleman will undertake to place at my disposal the first Government night after the First Reading of the Irish Government Bill I will he prepared to make way for the right hon. Gentleman upon the day to which I clearly have a right—namely, Monday, for bringing on his Motion.
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEWe are most anxious to give the right hon. Gentleman the best accommodation we can; hut the acceptance of the right hon. Gentleman's counter proposal would bring the Government into sharp conflict with the very keen and repeated and, I am hound to say, not unjust demand that when the Government have obtained the First Reading of the Bill for the government of Ireland, they should proceed to give evidence of their sincerity with regard to other measures. I hope, therefore, that the right hon. Gentleman will make up his mind to the sacrifice of having a Saturday Sitting.