HC Deb 12 March 1888 vol 323 cc881-2
THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)

I think it is right that I should inform the House that I propose, on Monday next, to ask the leave of the House to introduce the Local Government Bill. It will be the first Order.

VISCOUNT EBRINGTON (Devon, Tavistock)

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House when it is likely the Bill will be printed and circulated?

MR. RITCHIE

It is a very heavy Bill; and I think it probable that it will not be circulated for a week or 10 days after I have asked leave to introduce it.

MR. W. E. GLADSTONE (Edinburgh, Mid Lothian)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, after the answer he has given, whether he will undertake, as I am quite sure he will, to expedite the planting of the Bill to the best of his ability? because I think I may say it is a very unusual thing for a Government Bill not to be laid on the Table until 10 days after the preliminary statement in moving for leave. The right hon. Gentleman will observe that the country will not be in a position to make itself master of the provisions of so complicated a measure, however able the statement with regard to it may have been, until it is laid upon the Table of the House.

MR. RITCHIE

The right hon. Gentleman will understand that Her Majesty's Government have quite realized the great desirability of letting the House have the Bill as speedily as possible after leave to introduce has been given, and I will do all in my power to see that the utmost speed is used in printing it, and I hope that it may be printed within a week at any rate.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR (Liverpool, Scotland)

asked, whether there was a single instance in which the circulation of a Bill of such importance, which had been so many months in preparation, had been so long delayed?

MR. RITCHIE

I cannot answer the Question off-hand; but I am told that it is not unusual for the circulation of a Bill of this magnitude to be delayed for an equal length of time.

MR. COBB (Warwick, S.E., Rugby)

May we rely upon having the Bill circulated before the Easter Recess?

MR. RITCHIE

Yes; certainly.