HC Deb 04 July 1889 vol 337 cc1462-3
MR. JAMES STEVENSON (South Shields)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, considering the very wide and earnest public interest manifested throughout the country in favour of the Sale of Intoxicating Liquor on Sunday Bill, the principle of which the House has affirmed by reading the Bill a second time, he will give facilities, by Saturday sittings or otherwise, for the Committee and other stages of the Bill during the present Session?

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

I am very well aware of "the very wide and earnest public interest" the hon. Gentleman (Mr. Stevenson) refers to; but, unfortunately, that very fact contributes to the very considerable discussion of the question. Looking to the Amendments to the Bill of the hon. Member which have been placed on the Paper, I should have very little hope that it could be disposed of this Session; and I am afraid it will not be in my power to give the hon. Gentleman the Saturday sittings he desires in order that progress may be made with the Bill.

SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)

May I ask my hon. Friend the Chairman of the Committee on Petitions what number of Petitions have been presented in favour of the Sunday Closing Bill, and what number against?

SIR C. FORSTER (Walsall)

Up to yesterday 4,089 Petitions bad been presented in favour of the Bill and 23 against.