HC Deb 14 February 1849 vol 102 cc742-3

On the Order of the Day for the consideration of the Report,

MR. J. O'CONNELL

hoped the Government would not attempt to proceed with the measure, as by so doing the House would lose one stage of its progress so far as discussion was concerned.

SIR G. GREY

said, he proposed that the Bill should pass through that stage, and that the third reading should be the first order of the day for Friday, in order to allow ample time for debate.

MR. J. O'CONNELL

proposed that the report should be considered that day six months.

MR. SPEAKER

said, the hon. Member could not move that as an amendment; but according to a new rule of the House, if the hon. Member had any clause to propose, it might be received.

MR. J. O'CONNELL

would then move as a clause that of which he had given notice as an instruction.

SIR G. GREY

observed, that if the hon. Member spoke till six o'clock, the order would of course stand over till next day. He (Mr. J. O'Connell) might certainly occupy the time of the House if he thought proper; but the Government would not receive any convenience from the courtesy of the hon. and learned Member.

MR. J. O'CONNELL

would feel great pleasure in doing so. He observed that when a Bill of a much less stringent character was introduced in 1833 by Gentle- men, many of whom formed part of the present Ministry, it was strongly opposed by the present Attorney General. The hon. Gentleman took a prominent part in the opposition. He assisted Irish Members in all their tactics. They frequently referred to him, and always found him ready with his advice and his speech. He awakened the echoes of the House with old traditions of the constitution of England; and he (Mr. J. O'Connell) believed that the doctrines professed by the hon. Gentleman with his lips were deeply seated in his heart.

And it being Six of the clock, Mr. SPEAKER adjourned the House till to-morrow, without putting the question.