§ MR. JOHN MORLEY (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)I desire to put a Question to the First Lord of the Treasury. I want to ask him, Whether he intends to-morrow to take the next stage of the Land Purchase (Ireland) Bill; or, whether he does not think it would be more in conformity with the general opinion of the House to proceed with Supply to-morrow, and resume discussion on the Bill on Thursday?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)I have already stated in the House that the Government propose to take this Bill de die in diem; and I think great inconvenience results to the House generally from any change which has been indicated beforehand. The Bill consists of but one clause, and arrangements have been made by which any Member who desires to see it may see it in the course of the evening. I think it will be for the public advantage, on the whole, that the House should proceed with the debate on the second reading to-morrow.
§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)failed to see how the Bill could be printed immediately after the Division, unless the Government had undertaken to print it on the assumption that it would be carried. If it was not carried, their act would be unjustified. He also wished to know how many days the 1667 right hon. Gentleman intended to devote to the Bill itself, inasmuch as the House was only discussing the Amendment?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHsaid, that he had taken upon himself the great responsibility of ordering the Bill to be printed, which was not unusual in the conduct of Public Business. If, as the hon. Gentleman seemed to think, the Bill was not accepted by the House that evening, he must take upon himself the serious responsibility of abiding by the course of action he had adopted. He did not think it would be desirable to indicate at the present time the length of time that would be devoted to the debate on the second reading.