HC Deb 30 May 1889 vol 336 cc1513-5

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."

MR. W. A. HUNTER (Aberdeen, N.)

Before this Bill is read a second time, I wish to ask the attention of the House to one point. We were told earlier in the evening that it is the intention of the Government to take the control of this Bill after the Second Reading entirely away from this House and to place it before a Committee composed of a number of English lawyers, and including very few Scotch members. If the Government intend to persist in that purpose, then it will be necessary to object to the Second Reading of the Bill, because it is obvious that the only opportunity which the Scotch Members will have of expressing their opinion, and instructing the members of the Committee, will be on the Second Reading of the Bill. I hope the Government will intimate its intention of abandoning that idea of referring this Bill, which is really an essential part of the first Bill, and will allow the two to be dealt with by the same Committee.

* MR. W. H. SMITH

The House will hardly expect me to give an absolute answer to the question addressed to me by the hon. Gentleman. I have indicated the course which the Government, in the interest of the House itself, and of the measure which I presume the Scotch Members are desirous of passing, intend to take. There is no intention to move to-night that the Bill be referred to a Standing Committee. The Bill will stand over for consideration at the same time as Bill No. 1, and it will be perfectly open to hon. Members to ob- ject to the course which the Government propose to take, and we will listen to their arguments. I venture to say, however, that it would be most undesirable for us to propose to consider this question until the Motion is made—and it will not be made to-night—to refer it to the Standing Committee or any other Committee. I trust that the understanding which was arrived at, that the Bill should be read with Bill No. 1, will be adhered to, leaving further proceedings in regard to it for future consideration by the House.

MR. MARJORIBANKS (Berwickshire)

I think it is due to the right hon. Gentleman opposite to say that, so far as any action of mine is binding, and so far as I have a right in any way to represent the views of the Scotch Members, I did undertake that the Second Reading of this Bill should be taken tonight, and the reference to Committee should also be dealt with, leaving the question of the Committee as regards the Second Bill to be discussed and debated at length on a future occasion. I hope hon. Members will agree to this course, which I believe is a proper one, and one that it would be desirable that the House should adopt.

MR. HUNTER

I object, Sir.

* MR. W. H. SMITH

I hope that the hon. Member will not persist in his opposition. I venture to appeal to the hon. Member in the interests of the Party with which he is connected. It is impossible that business should be conducted in this House, unless on a fair and reasonable understanding that, after ample debate at certain stages, Bills shall be accepted and future discussions shall be arranged amicably.

MR. HUNTER

It will be irregular for me to intrude on the House a second time, but I will put one question which I should like answered. Are we to understand that the Government will not use their majority to force this Bill to a Standing Committee, in the way in which they used their majority to-night to prevent us continuing the Debate.

MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)

I object.

MR. HUNTER

And so do I.

Second Reading deferred till to-morrow at two of the o'clock.