§ MR. SAMUEL EVANS (Glamorgan, Mid)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Places of Worship Enfranchisement Bill, which has precedence on Wednesday next under the Standing Orders, will be taken as the first Order on that day; and, if not, what facilities will be given to proceed with the remaining stages of the Bill. having regard to the statement made by him with reference to the Bill on the 30th March last?
§ MR. BRODRICKMay I inquire whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that, owing to the action of the Chairman of the Standing Committee on this Bill, it has assumed a very controversial character; and whether he is aware that if the Bill wore proceeded with on Wednesday it would necessarily lead to prolonged discussion?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEI have not heard that. In answer to the question of my hon. and learned Friend, I cannot hold out any hope that it will have precedence of the Government of Ireland Bill to-morrow.
§ MR. S. EVANSMay I remind the right hon. Gentleman that on March 30 he said that the "usual facilities" would be given to all Bills which had already passed the Committee stage; and whether this did not imply that the Places of Worship Enfranchisement Bill, which has passed through Committee, will have precedence to-morrow over the Government of Ireland Bill, which has not passed that stage?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEI am unable to speak to the exact words which I used upon the occasion referred to; but I do not remember that I stated that the main business of the House would be set aside as in the case of the Eight Hours (Mines) Bill. Still, the hon. Member may rely on it that the Government are not at all disposed to lose sight of the importance of the Bill to which he refers.