HC Deb 17 July 1876 vol 230 cc1515-7

Bill considered.

(In the Committee.)

Clauses 1 to 3, inclusive, agreed to.

Clause 4 (General and special crossings).

MR. J. G. HUBBARD

moved, as an Amendment, in page 1, line 20, to leave out "or of two parallel transverse lines simply." Its object was to exempt from the operation of the Bill cheques which had merely two parallel transverse lines.

MR. RYLANDS

said, if the Amendment were agreed to, the Bill would become a common nuisance throughout the country, and he hoped it would not be pressed.

Amendment negatived.

Clause agreed to.

Clause 5 (Crossing after issue).

THE LORD MAYOR (MR. Alderman Cotton)

moved, as an Amendment, in page 2, line 4, after "specially" to insert— Where a cheque is crossed generally or specially a lawful holder may add to the crossing the words 'for account of,' or any abreviation thereof, followed by the names of the persons or company to whose account he wishes the cheque to be credited.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause agreed to.

Clause 6 (Crossing material part of cheque).

MR. DILLWYN

moved, to report Progress, protesting against such an important measure as that being proceeded with at half-past 1 o'clock in the morning. There were 24 Bills on the Orders of the Day, and the Government ought to decide what Bills they really intended to proceed with, and what they would withdraw.

MR. BACKHOUSE

appealed to the hon. Member for Swansea not to press his Motion, on the ground that the Bill was generally desired.

MR. E. JENKINS

considered that it was most unfair for the Government not to take the House into their confidence, and let them know what measures they really intended to go on with. He was interested in several Scotch Bills, and had to remain in the House night after night to see that the Home Secretary did not slip any of these Bills through without discussion.

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

hoped the hon. Member did not intend to impute that he would "slip"any Bill through. He had distinctly stated that no Scotch business should be taken unless full Notice was given of it.

MR. E. JENKINS

said, of course, if he had used any expression to which the right hon. Gentleman objected, he would at once withdraw it.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, it was most inconvenient that the discussion on a Bill as to which there was a general agreement should be interrupted in this manner.

Motion made, and Question put, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."—(Mr. Dillwyn.)

The Committee divided:—Ayes 13; Noes 123: Majority 110.

MR. E. JENKINS

then moved, that the Chairman do leave the Chair.

MR. ORR EWING

opposed the Motion. He (Mr. Orr Ewing) was satisfied that the constituents of the hon. Member would be much better satisfied with him if, instead of interposing obstructive propositions, he would assist in passing a Bill which was demanded by the entire mercantile community.

Motion made, and Question put, "That the Chairman do now leave the Chair."—(Mr. Edward Jenkins.)

The Committee divided:—Ayes 11; Noes 122: Majority 111.

CAPTAIN NOLAN

moved that the Chairman report Progress, and ask leave to sit again.

MR. BURT

said, he had voted in the first instance for Progress being re- ported; but as the feeling of the House was evidently in favour of going on with, the measure, he did not see any use in persevering with those Motions of delay.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause agreed to.

Clause 7 (Payment to banker only).

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."—(Mr. Thomas Eustace Smith.)

Question put, and agreed to.

House resumed.

Committee report Progress; to sit again upon Monday next.