§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it was intended to take the Irish Drainage Bills on the Paper to-night; and if it was, he wished to ask the First Lord of the Treasury could he possibly arrange that Progress on the Local Government Bill would be reported at a reasonably early hour, in order that an opportunity might be afforded the Irish Members of saying something in reference to those important measures?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster), in reply, said, he must adhere to the arrangement already made with respect to the Business of the House—namely, to press forward with the Local Government Bill until the Committee stage was concluded. Any departure from that arrangement, which had been deliberately entered into, would be extremely unsatisfactory; and he could, therefore, make no promise to report Progress at an early hour to allow the Bills to be taken.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) Manchester, E.)I can 1534 only repeat what I have already said—that I see no reason why a discussion should not take place after 12 o'clock if hon. Members do not persevere in their objections to the Bill.
§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)said, he did not object to other persons expressing their opinion; but he should certainly press his objections to spending English money on these Irish works.
§ MR. W. A. MACDONALD (Queen's Co., Ossory)asked the Speaker, whether it was competent to discuss the Bills after 12 o'clock, in the face of the Notices of opposition to them already on the Paper?
§ MR. SPEAKERNotice of opposition has nothing to do with the matter; but if any hon. Member objects when the Bills are called on that would be sufficient to delay them.