HC Deb 12 March 1888 vol 323 cc880-1
MR. OSBORNE MORGAN (Denbighshire, E.)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in view of the fact that the Government have already appropriated nearly the whole time of the Session, and also in view of the fact that the first Notice of Motion which stands on the Order Book for Friday, March 16, involves a direct censure upon a Member of the Government, as well as a grave Constitutional question, the Government will re-consider their determination to take a Morning Sitting on that day?

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

I was not aware of the fact mentioned by the right hon. and learned Member that the Government have appropriated nearly the whole time of the Session. I am sure the right hon. and learned Gentleman will see that it is the duty of the Government to arrange the Business of the House, so far as it is in their power to do so, having regard to the relative importance of the Business which is before the House; and I think he will not be surprised to hear that the Government are of opinion that the important question relating to the reduction of interest on the National Debt is greater than that of the question to which the right hon. and learned Gentleman refers. It is a matter of the highest importance to the country at large that the question involved in the second reading of the Bill for the reduction of the interest on the National Debt should be disposed of without delay. Therefore, it is impossible for me to comply with the suggestion of the right hon. and learned Gentleman; but I hope ample time will be found to dispose of his Motion.

MR. OSBORNE MORGAN

said, he did not desire to contest the view of the right hon. Gentleman; but he asked for an undertaking that the Government would do as they did for the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Labouchere) onFriday last—namely, to make a House at the Evening Sitting.

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, the Government was bound to make a House at the Evening Sitting on Friday next.

MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

asked, whether the Government would promise that at Morning Sittings at this early period of the Session Bills should not be sneaked through?

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, the Government was bound to make the best use of the time at their disposal. So long as sufficient Notice was given of the Business which the Government proposed to take, he thought the hon. Gentleman would see that he had no reason to complain if they availed themselves of every opportunity of forwarding Public Business.

MR. DILLON

inquired, whether the Government proposed to use the Morning Sitting on Friday for the purpose of passing the Parliamentary Under Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Bill?

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, it was impossible to say at present.

MR. DILLON

said, they ought to have Notice not later than to-morrow morning.