The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-06-27 00:00:00

TEE CRISIS.

In the ITorsE OF COMMONS also parties still occupied
their old seats. In anticipation of an important state-
ment being ma 'e by the Prime Minister with reference
to the intentions of Lord Salisbury, there was a very
crowded House, every bench, with one conspicuous ex-
ception, being packed with members. This was
particularly the case with regard to the seats
below the gangway on either side and the Trea-
sury bench itself, which was so well filled that the
Attorney -General had to find a seat on the step leading
to the Speaker's chair. The one exception was the
front Opposition bench, which soon after four was
occupied by Mr. Rowland Winn, Mr. Bourke, and Sir
W. Hart-Dyke only. Before the business commenced
Mr. Bourke left the House, and his place was then
taken by the Lord Mayor, who had been crowded out of
his ordinary seat on the bench behind. These were the
only occupants of the front Opposition bench during
the delivery of Mr. Gladstone's statement, and the
short discussion which followed it. Mr. Gorst was the
only member among those indicated as having received
appolutmeats in the new Administration who was
observed in the House, and he occupied his accustomed
seat on the front bench below the Opposition gangway.
Mr. Gladstone entered shortly before half-past four,
and was received with an outburst of Ministerial
cheering.
Mr. Gladstone, who was received with cheers, said—
Mr. Speaker, the information which has been conveyed
to me enables me to acquaint the House that Lord
Salisbury has definitely accepted office, and that his
Cabinet is in course of designation and appointment—
I presume at an advanced stage—so much so that he is
confidently able to expect that to-moirow, if it be the
pleasure of the House to meet, the writa may be moved
for new elections at the places where seats may have
been vacatei. The course, therefore, it would be most
convenient to take will be this—that I should move the
suspension for to-morrow of the first standing order,
which relates to sitting i on Wednesday, and that I
should then move that this House at its rising do ad-
journ to five o'clock to-morrow, which is the hour indi-
cated by Lord Salisbury on the part of the incoming
Government, and subsequently that she House do forth-
with adjourn.
On the Speaker putting the question that the first
standing order be suspended, and that the House at its
rising adjourn till five o'clock to-morrow,
Mr. J. Collings said he saw in the newspapers that
an arrangement had been made between the leaders of
the two parties to press forward certain bills, and he
did not find the Parliamentary Elections (Medical Be-
lief) Bill among the number. That bill was of the
utmost importance to tens of thousands of the electors
of the country, and he urged upon the leaders of both
parties the importance of giving some assurance that
the measure should he included in those important bills
which had been decided upon. If he could obtain no
such assurance he should think it his duty to take the
sense of the House on the question, as he believed the
majority of the House were in favour of proceeding with
the bill. He should, therefore, unless he obtained some
satisfactory statement from the Prime Minister, oppose
the adjournment of the House.
Mr. Labouchere said that some time ago the Prime
Minister promised to make a statement with respect to
discussions which had taken place regarding any assur-
ances given or proposed to be given to the right hon.
gentlemen opposite before they assumed office. He
would venture to ask the Prime Minister whether he
would be good enough either to give the House that
statement now or to say when the statement was to be
made. He would like, at any rate, to be assured that
nothing had been done which would deprive them on
she Ministerial side of the House of their independent
course of action in regard to all legislative matters and
in regard to the privileges which independent members
now enjoyed to bring on amendments or resolutions
whenever they pleased on days when they were allowed
by the standing orders to do so. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Gladstone: With regard to the question which
has just been put to me, and very naturally and pro-
perly put to me, I believe Lord Salisbury is of the same
opinion with myself that not a moment should be lost
that can justly be avoided in giving to the House in-
formation to which it is entitled with respect to the
recent communications. I have very great hope that it
may be in my power to give that information_ to-
morrow. I cannot speak positively, as it is dependent
on the concurrence of another, but that is my hope and
desire. I will not attempt to give any account of the
character of the correspondence or the principles by
which I have bren guided in endeavouring to conduct
it, as there will be so speedy an opportunity to enable
hoe. gentlemen to form their own opinions upon an
accurate knowledge of everything material that has
taken place. That, I hope, is sufficient for
the hon. gentleman so far as that subject is
concerned. My hon. friend the member for
Ipswich (Mr. J. Collings) has, I understand, in
a good-humoured way, threatened us with opposition to
the adjournment of the House if it be true that the
arrangement between the leaders of the party coming
into office and the leaders of the party going out of
office with regard to the progress of certain bills does
not include the bill in which he is deeply interested,
and which has certainly strong claims to be brought
under the judgment of the House. I think I can effec.
tually relieve the mind of the hon. gentleman. He is
the victim of an illusion. (Laughter.) There is no
foundation whatever, great or small, for the belief that
such an arrangement has been made, or that any com•
munication of any sort or kind has taken place on that
subject. Therefore the freedom of my hon. friend and
the House remains absolutely unimpaired, and under
these circumstances I think he will feel that the second
reading of a bill of this kind ought to be moved when
there is a responsible Government in office. (Hear,
hear.)
The motion was then agreed to and, on the proposi-
tion of Mr. Gladstone,
The House adjourned at a quarter to five.