HC Deb 02 May 1883 vol 278 cc1700-2

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."

MR. GIBSON

said, he had been given to understand that the Order of the House passed early in the Session as to Committees would be held to apply to the Grand Committees. If there was one thing made more clear than another during the Autumn Session, it was that these Committees should not sit simultaneously with the House, except by special Order of the House. He did not regard the Order passed that day as in any sense a special Order applying to Grand Committees; and, therefore, if any attempt were made to-morrow to continue the sitting of the Grand Committee on which he served after the hour when the House would meet, he should challenge the proposal, and move the adjournment of the Committee.

MR. CALLAN

said, he was of opinion that an explanation ought to be given to the right hon. and learned Gentleman by some occupant of the Treasury Bench.

LORD RICHARD GROSVENOR

said, that the Prime Minister had obtained the best advice which could be got upon the question before he made his Motion, and it was understood that the Grand Committees came under the Rule applicable to other Committees on Ascension Day. It was also thought that the House had sufficiently assented to the proposal.

MR. BERESFORD HOPE

said, that the noble Lord had himself proved the validity of the objection. It was last autumn distinctly laid down, when the new Standing Order was under discussion, that to enable the Grand Committees to sit while the House was itself sitting, a specific Order must be made. No such Order had been made in the present case, and, therefore, the Grand Committee was precluded from sitting to-morrow after 4 o'clock.

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, that, according to his recollection, an understanding was come to in the autumn to the effect that Standing Committees should not sit concurrently with the House, the reason being that if both the House and a Committee were to sit at the same time one or the other must lose the services of a large number of Members. It would, in his opinion, be a distinct breach of faith if an attempt were made to prolong the sitting of any Standing Committee after 4 o'clock to-morrow.

MR. RYLANDS

said, he agreed with the views expressed from the opposite Benches. He felt sure that if the Prime Minister were present he would unhesitatingly admit the justice of the contention of the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for the University of Dublin (Mr. Gibson).

MR. WARTON

said, he could only characterize the proposal of the Government as a scandalous breach of faith.

MR. SEXTON

said, that, as a Member of the Standing Committee on Law, which met to-morrow, he should, if any attempt was made to prolong the proceedings after a quarter to 4 o'clock, support the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for the University of Dublin (Mr. Gibson) in his Motion for Adjournment.

Motion agreed to.

House adjourned at five minutes before Six o'clock.