HC Deb 21 March 1860 vol 157 c965
LORD JOHN RUSSELL

said, it might be convenient if he were now to state what the Government proposed to do with respect to those Orders of the Day which they wished to bring on before others. It was not expected the Government would be able to bring forward any of their Bills that day, but they thought it of great importance to bring on as soon as possible the Resolution with regard to the income tax in Committee of Ways and Means. He therefore wished to have that Order read, with the view of bringing it on to-morrow, and if the Resolution were disposed of he should hope the adjourned debate on the Representation of the People Bill might also be proceeded with to-morrow.

SIR FITZROY KELLY

asked whether if those two subjects were not brought under the consideration of the House tomorrow they would take precedence of Other business on Friday?

LORD JOHN RUSSELL

I cannot say positively. There is, I believe, some money Vote which it is desirable should be taken on that day.

MR. SPEAKER

was understood to inform the noble Lord that, in accordance with the Orders of the House, the Income Tax Resolution could not be brought on in Committee of Ways and Means on a Thursday, unless it had been fixed that Orders of the Day had precedence of Notices of Motions.

MR. BRIGHT

said, he thought it a pity to interject, as it were, the income tax in the middle of the adjourned debate on the Representation of the People Bill.

LORD JOHN RUSSELL

said, that he found by the Rules and Orders of the House that the Resolution on the Income Tax in Committee of Ways and Means could not be brought on to-morrow. The adjourned debate on the Representation of the People Bill could, however, be proceeded with, and the Resolution might be brought on the first thing on Friday.