§
Moved for—
A Committee to consider of authorising the payment, out of moneys to be provided by parliament, of the remuneration to any barristers and valuers that may be appointed to act with and aid the County Court Judges, under the provisions of any Act of the present Session to amend 'The Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1881,' and 'The Purchase of Land (Ireland) Act, 1885,' and of remuneration to certain officers for performing additional duties connected with the Court of Bankruptcy in Ireland in pursuance of the said Act."—(Mr. Jackson.)
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)said, he thought that this Motion should not be made without Notice. It was a Motion in regard to which some statement should be made by the Government. He, therefore, respectfully asked the Government not to press it forward without an explanation being vouchsafed to the House. In his opinion it seemed to involve the entire question of the payment of the Second Court of Appeal in Ireland, to which he and his hon. Friends were entirely opposed, and as to whether the Bankruptcy Clauses should be dropped. If the Government were going to drop the Bankruptcy Clauses, why should they take power to pay gentlemen to assist the County Court Judges? He respectfully urged on the Government to make a statement now, or else adjourn the Motion until such time as they could do so, and until they had the whole thing before them in a better manner.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)said, the hon. and learned Gentleman did not seem to be aware 1775 that this was a purely formal matter preliminary to the consideration of the Bill in Committee. As far as it affected any questions which involved the Vote of Parliament, or any clause which might entail a charge on the Estimates or increase the establishments of the country, the Resolution did not in the slightest degree tie the hands of the Committee, nor would it tie the hands of the hon. Member or his Friends regarding the question of the Court of Appeal or the bankruptcy provisions. If the Resolution was not passed, however, it would seriously hinder the consideration of the Bill in Committee. The Resolution did not prejudice any measure, but it was a necessary preliminary before any question affecting a charge upon the Estimates could be entertained by the House.
§ MR.W.E. GLADSTONE (Edinburgh, Mid Lothian)said, he thought it would be admitted that the hon. and learned Gentleman had made his objection in moderate and becoming terms, and he was not in the slightest degree surprised at the impression which the Resolution not unnaturally conveyed to the mind of the hon. and learned Gentleman as it was read from the Chair. But, having himself been concerned in similar proceedings, he was bound to bear testimony to the general practice of the House. This was a Motion strictly of a preliminary character. It left the entire question absolutely free for the consideration of the House at the proper stage. It was the uniform practice of the House, so far as he knew, to allow this preliminary stage to be taken without any notice whatever. He therefore thought the hon. and learned Gentleman would see, under these circumstances, that his exception to the Motion ought not to be pressed.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Queen's Recommendation signified, upon Monday next.