HC Deb 25 June 1858 vol 151 cc471-2

Order for Committee read.

House in Committee.

MR. BERNAL OSBORNE

said, he must protest against the Bill being proceeded with at that late hour (half-past twelve). He must also complain that Clause 51, which was one of the most important clauses of the Bill, had been disposed of at such a late hour on a previous evening in a very thin House.

THE CHAIRMAN

reminded the hon. Member that he was out of order in referring to a clause which had been passed.

MR. BERNAL OSBORNE

, said, he should then move that the Chairman report progress, and he wished to give notice that on the bringing up of the Report he should move that Clause 51 be expunged.

MR. WHITESIDE

opposed the Motion. There was no Amendment of importance on the paper with reference to this Bill, and he was surprised that any opposition should have been raised to the further progress of the Bill.

SIR ERSKINE PERRY

supported the Motion for reporting progress.

MR. WALPOLE

said, that Clause 51 of the Bill had been agreed to after considerable discussion, and after a division in which there were 130 in the majority, and seven or eight in the minority. He hoped that the Committee on the Bill would be allowed to proceed.

MR. MONSELL

said, he hoped that no opposition would be made to the progress of the Bill in Committee, at ail events by those who, like himself, regarded the measure as one of great importance and value.

MR. SERJEANT DEASY

appealed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer not to proceed with the Bill at that late hour (half past twelve o'clock).

THE CHANCELLOR, OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, that he should not think of proceeding with any discussion of importance at that late hour, if it were not the wish of the Committee. It was said that there was some objection to the mode in which Clause 51 had been passed, but he knew of nothing more fair than the manner in which that clause was carried; it was discussed at some length, and was then carried by an overwhelming majority. They could not re-discuss that clause then: and without unduly pressing the Committee to proceed, he hoped that they would proceed with the remaining clauses of the Bill, on the understanding that an opportunity should be given to discuss the 51st clause on a future occasion.

The House resumed.

Committee report progress; to sit again on Monday next.

House adjourned at One o'clock, till Monday next.