HC Deb 26 March 1846 vol 85 cc76-7
MR. MILNER GIBSON

requested to know if it were quite decided that the Irish Coercion Bill should take precedence of the other Orders of the Day on Monday next, or whether, upon subsequent consideration, the right hon. Baronet had not thought it better to let the Corn Bill proceed first?

SIR R. PEEL

had stated, on a former occasion, the intentions of Her Majesty's Government regarding the precedence of the several measures alluded to by the hon. Gentleman, and they had seen no reason since to alter their determination. The "Bill for the Prevention of Assassination in Ireland," for he did not call it a Coercion Bill, he had stated should be brought forward, and he had added that it was the only Government Bill which should be permitted to interpose between the remaining stases of the Corn Bill. He had stated that it should be read a first time on Monday next, and, with that single exception, no other public business whatsoever should interfere with the progress of the Corn Bill.

MR. MILNER GIBSON

supposed that the right hon. Baronet was not aware, he probably had not been in the House when the hon. Baronet near him (Sir W. Somerville) announced his intention of proposing an Amendment to the Motion for the first reading.

SIR R. PEEL

was not aware that notice had been given of any Amendment; and he did hope that hon. Gentlemen opposite would feel, that as there would be so many opportunities of discussion afforded during the many subsequent stages through which the Bill would have to pass, no debate would be urged upon the first reading. He trusted that hon. Gentlemen would perceive that abundant opportunities would be afforded to discuss the Bill, to render it unnecessary for them to adopt the course of commencing an opposition so early as the first reading, and thereby delaying the progress of the other important measures.

MR. O'CONNELL

said, that no one could regret more than he did that any delay should be given to those important measures. He was exceedingly unwilling to interfere with the progress of the Corn Laws; but to the other (the Coercion) Bill, he and the hon. Members near him were bound to give every opposition in their power.

SIR R. PEEL

must adhere to the original intentions of the Government.

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