§ Order for Committee read.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER moved that the Speaker leave the 1470 Chair in order to go into Committee on this Bill.
§ Motion made and Question proposed, "That Mr. SPEAKER do now leave the Chair."
COLONEL DUNNEcomplained that many hon. Members had had no opportunity of discussing the provisions of this Bill, to which there were great objections. He himself intended to propose that in Ireland the tax should be 9d. and not 10d., and unless a promise were given that he should do so to-morrow on the Report, he would proceed with his Motion now.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, there would be an opportunity to-morrow evening, on bringing up the Report. The only reason why he asked the House to permit the Bill to pass this stage to-day was to prevent the House of Lords being compelled to postpone their adjournment for the Easter recess.
§ MR. W. WILLIAMSsaid, he had thirty petitions to present, praying the House not to impose the income tax on incomes of less than £150 a year.
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member cannot present petitions on the Question that I leave the Chair.
§ House in Committee.
§ MR. W. WILLIAMSsaid, he would take the sense of the House to-morrow on the question that incomes of less than £150 a year be exempted.
§ MR. BENTINCKurged the Chancellor of the Exchequer to fix a certain hour after which he would not bring up the Report to-morrow.
§ LORD CLAUD HAMILTONhoped that the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer would not attempt to force this Bill through the House without giving an opportunity for full and ample discussion.
§ It being a Quarter to Six o'Clock the Chairman left his seat at the table, and the Speaker returned to the chair.
§ House resumed.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, that the stage of the Bill would be lost unless hon. Gentlemen opposite would consent to the House going again into Committee.
§ Committee report Progress; to sit again this day.
§ House will immediately resolve itself into the Committee.
§ House in Committee.
§ Mr. MASSEY in the Chair.
1471§ Claues 1.
§ MR. VANCEurged that a promise should be given by the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer that there should be a discussion on the Report
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSaid, he would, if possible, induce the House to agree to that course tomorrow evening.
§ Clause agreed to.
§ MR. BENTINCK,after other clauses had been agreed to, said he was given to understand that the proceeding was wholly-irregular, and that it was not in accordance with the laws and customs of the House to go into Committee twice on the same Bill on the same day.
MR. CHAIRMAN (Mr. MASSEY)said, there could be no question whatever that it was competent, with the assent of the House, to go into Committee at any time.
§ Remaining Clauses agreed to.
§ House resumed.
§ Bill reported; as amended, to be considered to-morrow.
§ House adjourned at Two Minutes before Six o'Clock.