COMMITTEES (ASCENSION DAY). (Hansard, 6 May 1891)

§ MR. PICTON (Leicester)
I do not think that a Motion of this kind ought to be passed without some notice. In the present state of the Business of the House and of our Committees, it seems most absurd that we should pass such a Resolution. It certainly seems to me that these repeated Motions are only inspired by a kind of pious arrogance. How many people are there who observe Ascension Day as a religious observance? No doubt there may be a certain number, and I respect their feelings; but for the right hon. Gentleman and the Government to require the business of Parliament to be delayed on account of these old-fashioned ideas is, I think, rather too much. The right hon. Gentleman knows very well that not only the Business of this House, but that of the Grand Committees upstairs, is much behind. The Grand Committee on Law, of which I have the honour to be a Member, is at the present moment considering a very important Bill, and the loss of two hours, between 12 and 2 o'clock, will occasion not only serious, but perhaps irretrievable, delay. Why should we be compelled to meet at a later hour on Ascension Day? Simply for the recognition of an old custom, and nothing more. The right hon. Gentleman is continually complaining of obstruction; but I should like to know what more gratuitous obstruction there can be than this unnecessary delay of the Business of the House to-morrow simply to pay respect to an old-fashioned observance which is neither regarded nor respected by 1 out of 500 of the people.

§ (12.27.) SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)
May I take the opportunity of asking the right hon. Gentleman if he intends to move the Adjournment of the House for the whole of the Derby Day?

§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)
I feel bound to express my regret that there 211 are Members of this House who should desire to ignore the recognition of the observance of one of the most sublime facts of Christianity, at a time When even the Japanese, in their new Constitution, are recognising the great doctrines of our common faith, and have selected Christians as their Speaker and Chairman of Committees in their first Parliament. Under such circumstances, it is certainly a strange thing that the British House of Commons should be asked to ignore the proper observance of Ascension Day.

(12.30.) MR. A.ELLIOT (Roxburgh)
I fail to see why we should not be good Christians if we meet at 12 instead of 2 o'clock to-morrow. Like my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester (Mr. Picton) I am a Member of the Grand Committee on Law, and I fully agree with all that he has said. Our Committees have a great deal of work to do; we are rapidly approaching the Whitsuntide holidays, and we find it difficult even now to get a quorum. We are asked to sit to-morrow at 2 instead of 12, and as an adjournment will take place at 3, the result will probably be that the entire Sitting will be thrown away. If we are inclined to do our business in a businesslike way, I think we ought to sit to-morrow at the usual hour. We can very well spare the few Members of the Committee who would wish to attend church. But in the case of Private Bills the case is still stronger. It becomes a serious question of expense. Witnesses have been brought to London, and counsel have been engaged, and it would be absurd to throw away the money of the parties concerned for a reason which is no real reason at all.