HC Deb 10 March 1859 vol 152 cc1682-4

Order for Second Reading read.

Sir JOHN TRELAWNY moved, that the Bill be read a second time.

Motion made and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."

MR. BERESFORD HOPE

said, he must appeal to the hon. Gentleman not to press the Bill at that late hour. If he did not accede to his request, he must move the Adjournment of the debate.

SIR JOHN TRELAWNY

said, he had given up Wednesday to the Bill of the Government. He might also point out that the question had been under discussion for twenty-five years. The hon. Member for the University of Cambridge had admitted that all modes of settling the question had been exhausted, except that proposed by this Bill. Last year the other House had complained of the "indecent haste" with which a similar measure had been sent up to them, which, consequently, they said they had not time to consider. That Bill was passed in the Commons last year, after full discussion, and believing that that circumstance would have due weight, he should press the second reading.

Motion made, and Question put, "That the Debate be now adjourned."

The House divided:—Ayes 108; Noes 173: Majority 65.

Question again proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."

MR. BENTINCK

said, he could assure the hon. Baronet who had charge of the Bill, that he appreciated fully the good temper, forbearance, and courtesy which he had uniformly exhibited in dealing with this most difficult question, and it was to these feelings that he now desired to make an appeal. He perfectly understood the views of the hon. Baronet; but there was a large minority in the House who felt strongly upon the subject. The hon. Baronet had urged as a reason for proceeding with the second reading to-night, that the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Walpole) had failed in producing a satisfactory measure; but that seemed to him (Mr. Bentinck) to be hardly sufficient grounds for persevering at that hour with the reading of a Bill of such importance, and he thought that those who felt strongly respecting it, would not be justified in sanctioning that course of proceeding. He begged to move, "That this House do now adjourn."

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON

said, he thought the hon. Baronet must see that, upon a question of this importance, he could hardly expect that those who were strongly and conscientiously opposed to his views would allow those views to be adopted without debate; and it was manifestly impossible to debate the subject properly at that advanced hour of the night. He trusted, therefore, that the hon. Baronet would act in accordance with the courtesy which had hitherto characterised his proceedings throughout, and not detain the House by useless Divisions.

MR. FOX

remarked, that the Motion of the hon. Member for West Norfolk (Mr. Bentinck) was not that the Debate, but the House should now adjourn, and if that were carried, it might oust the Bill altogether.

SIR JOHN TRELAWNY

said, that not wishing to act discourteously towards hon. Gentlemen opposite, he should have no objection to the Adjournment of the debate until this day.

Motion and original Question, by leave, withdrawn. Second Reading deferred till To-morrow.

House Adjourned at One o'clock.