§ Motion made and Question proposed.
§ "That this House do now adjourn."—(Sir A. Acland-Hood)
1451§ MAJOR SEELY (Isle of Wight)asked what would be the business on Wednesday and Thursday next. He had the authority of the hon. Member for Waterford to state that in view of the great public interest taken in the question of the Volunteers he would not insist on Irish Estimates being take on Thursday. He acknowleged the great courtesy of the hon. Gentleman in the matter.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)said he wished to remind the House that there was one more allotted day, as far as he could judge, for the Army Estimates He preferred to wait and give an Answer on Monday as to the business for Wednesday and Thursday next, especially as to the arrangements that could be made for a discussion on the Volunteers. The Secretary for War would prefer a day for the discussion of Army questions at a later period of the session, but the Government would yield to the wishes of the Opposition. On Wednesday he hoped to finish the debate on the Scottish Churches Bill.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)said he recognised the importance of the Volunteer question to England; but he hoped the right hon. Gentleman would not postpone his Answer until Monday. A number of Irish Members were in Ireland and he hoped that a reasonable notice would be given before Irish affairs were discussed.
§ MR. McCRAE (Edinburgh, E.)said that there had not yet been a definite statement given as to the future of the Volunteers. There was 1452 considerable apprehension in the matter; and a definite explanation should be given.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir A. ACLAND-HOOD, Somersetshire, Wellington)said that hon. Members from Ireland sometimes attended the House at considerable inconvenience. He had arranged next Thursday for Irish Supply; and when he was suddenly asked to change Irish Supply into English Supply he could not arrange it in a few hours.
§ MR. MCKENNA (Monmouthshire, N.asked if only one more day was to be given to the Army.
§ MR. COURTENAY WARNER (Staffordshire, Lichfield)said that there was a general feeling in the House that the question of the Volunteers and the Militia was a matter for immediate discussion.
§ MR. HERBERT GLADSTONE (Leeds W.)said that the Opposition would be glad to have the right hon. Gentleman's views on the subject to-morrow.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid he should be glad to accede to the request of the right hon. Gentleman.