HC Deb 27 June 1878 vol 241 cc413-5
THE O'CONOR DON

said, that before fixing the day to which he would postpone this Bill, he wished, with the indulgence of the House, to make a short statement. At the commencement of the Sitting the Chancellor of the Exchequer had stated that it was his intention to carry out the promise the Government had made to give facilities for the passing of this Bill, by proposing that the House should sit next Saturday for the consideration of the Bill as amended. He (the O'Conor Don) had accepted that proposal, because no better had been made to him; but he must express his own opinion that it would be better if the Bill could be discussed on some other day than Saturday; and he appealed now to the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he could not, to meet the convenience of the House, carry out the promise of the Government in some other way? If he could name another day, that would be more agreeable to the convenience and feelings of the promoters of the Bill.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

I made the offer the hon. Gentleman has referred to because it appeared to me to be exceedingly difficult to find any better day on which to redeem the promise Government made, and by which they are, undoubtedly, bound to give such facilities as can possibly be given for the further discussion of the Bill. I suggested Saturday; but, I am bound to say, I agree with the hon. Member that Saturday is not a very convenient day, and there is a very strong objection on the part of a great number of Members—an objection not unnatural—to a Sitting on that day. In these circumstances, I would make the proposal to the hon. Member that he should postpone the Bill till Thursday, 11th July, and the Government would make it the first Order of the Day.

THE O'CONOR DON

, accepting the proposal, moved—"That the Consideration of the Bill, as amended, be deferred till Thursday, 11th July."

MR. ONSLOW

was glad that Saturday had not been fixed for the Consideration of the Bill; but pointed out that a valuable Government day would be lost if the Bill were considered on the 11th July. There was a strong feeling against the passing of the Bill this Session; and, though he should be sorry that anyone should think he was opposing this Bill merely for the sake of obstruction, he would assure his right hon. Friend that there was no chance of the Bill being advanced on the 11th July, and that, in his humble opinion, it was a mistake to give that day. He asked the right hon. Gentleman to consider whether he would not advise the hon. Member for Roscommon to postpone his Bill still further.

Motion agreed to.

Consideration, as amended, deferred till Thursday 11th July.