HC Deb 06 May 1885 vol 297 cc1810-3
MR. GLADSTONE

said, that it had been intended to proceed with the Army Estimates to-morrow; but it was so important to get on with the Registration of Voters (England) Bill, that if they could conveniently arrange for breaking off the Army Estimates at a reasonable hour—say not later than 11 o'clock—they should be very glad to get the residue of the evening for that Bill, as time was very important.

SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH

said, this proposition would require a little further consideration on the part of the Opposition. They thought it would be necessary that the question discussed last night, on registration expenses, should be pursued at a further stage of the Bill. If the Committee were finished to-morrow, he presumed the Report could be taken on Friday.

MR. GLADSTONE

said, that that would have to be considered to-morrow; he could not say anything now.

SIR MASSEY LOPES

gave Notice that, in consequence of the very strong expression of opinion manifested last night with reference to the question mentioned by his right hon. Friend (Sir Michael Hicks-Beach) he should move that the Bill be re-committed.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

Supposing the Bill before the House today gets through Committee to-morrow, will the Report of it on Friday be the first Order?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, it was of great consequence that the Bill should be got through as early as possible. However, he could not give a definite answer in the absence of his hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General; but he was disposed to think that that course would be adopted.

MR. PARNELL

said, he should like some information as to when the next stage of the Registration of Voters (Ireland) Bill would be taken.

MR. GLADSTONE

I believe the hon. and learned Gentleman who is in charge of the Bill has just left the House.

MR. PARNELL

I wish to ask whether the Report of the Bill will be taken on Friday first?

MR. GLADSTONE

I will answer that Question to-morrow.

MR. PARNELL

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will say upon what stage of the Bill the Government propose to move its re-committal in respect to the new clause about registration expenses?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

At the conclusion of the Report.

MR. PARNELL

Can it not be put down in the beginning of the Motion for Report?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Either at the end of the Report, or on the third reading.

MR. GIBSON

As it is quite obvious, from the narrow division of last night, that this is a matter upon which there is likely to be very considerable discussion, and also as many hon. Members would be anxious to take part in the discussion, I should therefore like to know what arrangements will be proposed? It would be very inconvenient to many of them if the matter was postponed from the beginning, which is a period which will be known to the final stage of the Bill, which is a period which cannot easily be fixed.

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman opposite seriously urge that, in the present period of extreme pressure upon the Government, we should have four debates and four divisions upon the same subject?

MR. GIBSON

I only ask for some definite information on the subject, which is one of importance.

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

We have already had two debates and two divisions, and now we are threatened with another, by the Motion of which the hon. Baronet opposite (Sir Massey Lopes) has just given Notice.

MR. GIBSON

Very possibly.

MR. PARNELL

As I suppose, from the very narrow division which was taken last night, it is evident that this question will be raised again, I presume it will be equally competent for me to raise the same question in regard to the Irish Bill, in reference to which matter I may say we defeated the Government, in the same way as the hon. Baronet (Sir Massey Lopes) proposes to raise it on the English Bill. I suppose that it will be arranged for a single discussion to be taken, either on the Irish or the English Bill, and so settle the question. [Sir CHARLES W. DILKE: Hear, hear!] But it would be desirable for the Irish Members to know whether the Irish Bill or the English Bill is to be taken first? It will be also desirable to know what will be the order of procedure in regard to the Motion for the recommittal of the Bill; because it will be on the Question "that Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair," after the Motion for the re-committal of the Bill, that I am advised that the Irish question will have to be raised?

MR. GLADSTONE

It is manifest that Notices of Motion of great import- ance having been given in to-day, I have no option but to say that I have to consider them, and will give an answer to the right hon. and learned Gentleman (Mr. Gibson) as to the procedure on these Bills when the House meets to-morrow.

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