SUPPLY.—REPORT. (Hansard, 8 August 1881)

§ MR. T. P. O'CONNOR
said, that he should like to ask the noble Lord (Lord Frederick Cavendish) to postpone it. He made this appeal because he intended to bring forward a Motion which, unfortunately, he had not yet put on the Paper. He did not, however, think he should be out of Order in reading it to the House, and the House would then see why he made the appeal. The terms of the Motion were as follows:— That in view of the increasing importation of foreign and Colonial food-stuffs, and the consequent decrease in the value of agricultural property in Great Britain and Ireland, it is expedient to appoint a Committee of Experts to inquire into and report upon the probable effects of foreign competition on British agriculture, and the rentals of English and Irish land. He was in this position. This was a Motion on going into Committee of Supply; and, looking at the state of Public Business at present, it did not seem likely that he should ever have an opportunity to move this Motion. If he did move it, he would undertake not to occupy the House more than a couple of hours in its discussion. As far as he, personally, was concerned, he should not occupy more than half-an-hour in the statement he should have to make; and, no doubt, it would be very easy for the Government to answer him. If he had not an opportunity of moving the Resolution he believed he could raise the question on this Vote, for in this Vote the Agricultural Commissioners were included. The noble Lord would not lose anything by giving him the opportunity he sought, because he (Lord Frederick Cavendish) was sure of getting the money he required.

§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISH
said, he saw no possibility of being able at any other time to bring on the Report of Supply earlier than that. Therefore, it would be useless to postpone the Vote. If the hon. Member wished to bring forward his Motion and make a speech, why did he not do so at once?

§ MR. T. P. O'CONNOR
said, it would take a week to prepare the speech.