HC Deb 02 July 1863 vol 172 cc135-7

Order for Committee read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

said, he was perfectly aware, that if the House were unwilling that the first stage of the Bill should be taken that night, it would be useless for him to attempt to press it. They had, however, now arrived at a somewhat late period of the Session, and the Government thought it would be for the convenience of those hon. Members who took an interest in the question if the House would go into Committee upon it, after which full time might be afforded for the discussion of the details of the measure.

SIR JAMES ELPHINSTONE

said, that at that period of the evening, and after the long and exhausting discussion which the House had gone through, so important a question as that of the fortifications ought not to be brought forward. The fortifications had been entered upon most hastily, and ought not now to be proceeded with until the pending questions respecting artillery and ships had been settled one way or the other. The works had arrived at that point at which they could conveniently be suspended until that essential question was settled. He therefore begged to move the adjournment of the debate.

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

MR. AYRTON

said, he thought that it would be well to go into Committee pro formâ, in order that they might hear the statement of the noble Lord and know what the Resolution was.

SIR MORTON PETO

said, it had been generally understood, that after the noble Lord's statement the House would be allowed a week to consider the question before they were called on to come to a vote.

SIR GEORGE GREY

said, that his hon. Friend (Sir Morton Peto) was right. The House could not conveniently enter into a discussion on the question till the Bill was before them, and therefore he thought the best course would be to go into Committee in order to give his noble Friend an opportunity of making his statement and moving the Resolution on which to found the Bill.

SIR HENRY WILLOUGHBY

said, he wished to point out, that if the House went into Committee, they would be called on to give their assent to the Resolution on which the Bill was to be founded.

MR. BERNAL OSBORNE

said, he had no intention of opposing the course proposed by the Government; but he must point out that the Government had been guilty of a great irregularity in not having placed the Resolution on the paper.

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

said, that as so many hon. Gentlemen seemed to be against going into Committee that night, the Government would postpone the Order till the next day.

Motion and Original Question, by leave, withdrawn.

Committee thereupon deferred till To-morrow.