HC Deb 21 June 1855 vol 138 cc2330-2

Order read, for resuming Adjourned Debate on Question [20th June], "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."

Question again proposed.

Debate resumed.

MR. H. S. KEATING

said, he did not wish to prevent full discussion of all the clauses of the Bill, and he trusted that the House would not object to Mr. Speaker leaving the chair.

MR. VANCE

said, this was almost a new Bill, and if Mr. Speaker left the chair it would raise the whole question, and of necessity create a debate. He thought that at that late hour (half-past twelve o'clock) it would be inconvenient to go on with the Bill, which could be with more advantage discussed at the morning sitting.

MR. THOMSON HANKEY

said, this was not a new Bill, and he hoped the House would not object to going into Committee, in order that hon. Members might hear what had been done with respect to the Bill.

MR. I. BUTT

said, he considered the Bill was a totally new Bill ["No, no."] It was totally different to the original Bill, and he therefore objected to proceeding with the measure at that hour.

MR. NAPIER

said, the effect of the alterations that had been made was to create one law for England, another for Scotland, and another for Ireland, whereas the opinion of the Commissioners was that there should only be one uniform law.

MR. JAMES MACGREGOR

said, the Bill was a most important Bill, affecting all the commercial world, and his opinion was that it would be the best course for Mr. Speaker to leave the chair, and then for some Member of the Committee to explain what had been done, and the object and purposes of the Bill. If the Bill passed, the conviction on his mind was, that greater frauds in bills of exchange would take place than at present did take place.

MR. MALINS

said, he considered the question was of such great importance, affecting such great interests, that it ought only to be passed after the most serious discussion. He thought, at that late hour, it would be unwise and improper to discuss the Bill.

SIR GEORGE GREY

said, the proposition for Mr. Speaker to leave the chair was to be understood as involving no progress in the Bill.

MR. HENLEY

said, he hoped that what was proposed would be acceded to, and that Mr. Speaker would be allowed to leave the chair.

The House went into Committee pro formâ.

The House resumed; Committee report progress.