HC Deb 16 July 1858 vol 151 cc1652-4

Order for Committee read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."

MR. A. SMITH

said, that although entertaining a high opinion of the judicial talents of Sir John Patteson, on whose arbitration the present Bill was founded, he still felt bound to oppose the measure, as the House was not in possession of all the documents necessary to forming a correct judgment on the matter. [Cries of "Move, move!"] As he would not be allowed to proceed, he would now move the adjournment of the debate.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, it was unusual for an hon. Gentleman to move the adjournment of a debate the only portion of which the House had heard being his own speech. He therefore hoped he would not persevere with his Motion.

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON

said, he would also remind the hon. Member of another consideration—that if the debate were adjourned, he could not again address the House.

MR. BRISCOE

said, this matter was of more importance than hon. Members appeared to suppose, and he would therefore strongly urge delay, to enable hon. Members to read the provisions of the Bill.

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL

said, that if the Motion were withdrawn, Government would give hon. Members every information they might desire upon the question.

MR. COX

hoped that his hon. Friend would press the Motion, as it was the clear understanding that no opposed business should be proceeded with after twelve o'clock, and it was then half-past.

Motion made, and Question put, "That the debate be now adjourned."

The House divided:—Ayes 17; Noes 109: Majority 92.

Question again proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."

MR. BRISCOE

said, he would move that the House should resolve itself into Committee on Monday next. The hon. Member for Truro had a speech which he wished to deliver of about half an hour in length, and he himself wished to make some remarks on this, which was a very important Bill. It related to an arbitration between the Crown and the Duke of Cornwall, but there was another party, the public, whose interests should be taken into consideration. It was impossible to have a debate that night.

Amendment proposed,— To leave out from the word "That" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words, "this House will, upon Monday next, resolve itself into the said Committee," instead thereof.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, he thought the House would do well to consider the state of public business. When a great strain was put upon the energies of hon. Members, he said he would not ask them to enter upon opposed business after twelve o'clock. But as at present it was his wish not to ask the House to take any more morning sittings this Session except upon rare occasions, he trusted they would consent to remain at their posts for an hour longer in the evening, in order to assist the Government in carrying on the public business; and therefore he trusted the hon. Gentleman who made this Amendment would not press it. The case was simply that of carrying into effect the award of a learned Judge between the Duke of Cornwall and the Crown; and it was expressly stipulated that the rights of all proprietors would be saved. It was thought that it would be better to settle this by legislation than by a course of litigation.

MR. A. SMITH

said, he must complain that he and the public, whose rights depended upon those of the Crown, had not been fairly treated in consequence of this Bill being brought in so late in the Session. He asked the right hon. Gentleman to give a Wednesday morning sitting to the measure.

MR. KENDALL

remarked that the Bill concerned nobody but the Crown and the Duke of Cornwall, and he could not understand the reasons for the opposition.

MR. ROBARTES

also appealed to the hon. Member to allow the Bill to proceed.

MR. BRISCOE

said, he could not withdraw his Motion.

MR. LABOUCHERE

said, he viewed with some alarm the discussion that was now being carried on in a very thin House. He thought that if the hon. Gentleman would allow this stage to pass, the Government would fix an opportunity for taking the discussion.

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL

said, he was willing to agree to the suggestion, and if the present stage of the Bill were not opposed, an opportunity would be given, on bringing up the Report, of making the necessary statement.

MR. ROEBUCK

said, he believed that was the only occasion in which any statement or discussion could be taken.

MR. BUTT

said, he thought the hon. Member for Truro had not been fairly dealt with. He thought the hon. Gentleman was entitled to have the question discussed. He should Support the Motion of the hon. Member for West Surrey.

Question put, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question."

The House divided:—Ayes 92; Noes 20: Majority 72.

Question again proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."

MR. A. SMITH

then moved the adjournment of the debate.

MR. SPEAKER

said, the hon. Member's power of making Motions at that particular stage of the Bill was exhausted.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, as the hon. Member had no more shafts to fire, he would now interpose in his behalf and move the adjournment of the debate till Monday.

Motion by leave withdrawn.

Committee deferred till Monday next.