§ Order for Third Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read the third time."
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANsaid, it was impossible for him to prevent the Bill being read a third time, and therefore he would not trouble the House with any lengthened observations. He regarded this as one of the best instances of a Bill being smuggled through the House. The Bill passed every stage but the last one without explanation, and then the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary (Mr. Trevelyan) read a letter he had received from the Recorder of Dublin with regard to the duties he had to perform. It was a most surprising thing that the right hon. Gentleman did not read the letter at the commencement of the discussions on the Bill. When the Question was put, he (Colonel King-Harman) would be bound to say "No," in order that it might not be recorded that the Bill passed nemine contradicente. When the Speaker put the Question a second time, and declared that the "Ayes" had it, he should not challenge the decision.
§ MR. WARTONdesired to support the statement made by his hon. and gallant Friend, that the Bill had been shamefully smuggled through the House. It was introduced without explanation, and it was read a second time without explanation, simply because it was not blocked. To-day it was understood they should proceed with the Army Estimates; but the Government had stopped Supply at half-past 12, in order to take this Bill. It was quite clear that the Members of the Treasury Bench were hardly keeping faith with the House, and their complaint was made that Bills were blocked. If his hon. and gallant Friend divided, he would divide with him, as a lesson to the Government, that if they tried to rush Bills through, they should have a little trouble for their injustice.
§ Question put—[Cries of "No, no!"]
§ Question again put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read the third time, and passed.