HC Deb 20 March 1833 vol 16 cc883-4
Sir Robert Peel

wished to know, whether it was the noble Lord's intention to press his Motion that the Irish Bill should take precedence of all other-business? He only asked the question, because there might be some certainty as to what business would come before the House.

Lord Althorp

said, that he hoped the courtesy of hon. Members would prevent him from pressing it; but if they declined acceding to his wish, he feared he should be obliged to press that Motion, as it was necessary that the House should continue the consideration of the Bill de die in diem until it had passed through the Committee.

Mr. O'Connell

thought there was no one who would deny that much time—nearly an hour and a half—had been consumed after one o'clock on the preceding morning upon unnecessary discussions. He had no objection to go into the discussion at six, and continue till one. That would surely be enough. Those who were kept for so many hours from all manner of refreshment, were not able, at the end of the time, to bear up against the overflowing strength of those who then came in upon them. Many gentlemen were thus prevented from expressing their sentiments. Under these circumstances, he trusted he should not be thought to be trespassing, if, at one o'clock, he moved an adjournment.

Sir Matthew W. Ridley

did not know-that the hon. and learned Member was in the least degree justified in speaking as if this Bill had not had a full discussion.

Lord Ebrington

sincerely hoped, that his noble friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer would come to no compromise on this point.

Colonel Williams

protested against the interminable speeches which were made by hon. Gentlemen upon the Irish Bill—speeches in which nobody was fortunate enough to strike out any new lights, but in which everybody was successful in extinguishing all the old ones. The evil was daily becoming worse and worse. Speeches immeasurably long, Seem lengthening as we go. He recollected that Mr. Jefferson, in one of his letters, remarked, that Franklin and Washington, though one of them was the founder, and the other the president of the new republic, had never found it necessary upon any question to speak more than fifteen minutes.