HC Deb 04 May 1863 vol 170 cc1140-2

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

SIR ROBERT PEEL

trusted that the hon. and learned Member who had charge of this Bill (Mr. M'Mahon) would consent to postpone it, because it was well known that the Government, at the instance of several Irish Members, were engaged in drawing up a Bill which would, he hoped, meet the views of all parties.

MR. M'MAHON

said, he had already postponed this Bill from time to time: and if the Government would undertake to bring in their measure within a reasonable time, he would not stand in the way. Would there be any objection to going on with a few clauses, so that the House might consider both Bills together when the Government measure came before it?

SIR ROBERT PEEL

said, that at the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Limerick, the noble Lord the Member for Cockermouth (Lord Naas) and the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Kerry (Mr. Herbert) had conferred with his hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State, the hon. Gentleman the Member fur Mallow (Mr. Longfield), and other Members, upon this question. It was then distinctly and clearly agreed that the hon. Gentleman the Member for Wexford should not proceed further with his Bill at present, every credit at the same time being given to him for his efforts in drawing attention to this important national question. The Home Secretary had now taken a personal interest in the matter; on the part of the Government, he would therefore undertake that the Bill should be introduced before the 3rd of June, and he trusted that before the end of August it would be passed.

MAJOR GAVIN

said, that neither he nor his right hon. Colleague knew anything of the conference or understanding referred to by the right hon. Baronet. Possibly it was the hon. and gallant Member for the county of Limerick (Mr. Monsell) to whom the Chief Secretary intended to allude. As the Government Bill was not to be introduced till such a distant date, he hoped the hon. and learned Member for Wexford would press forward his measure.

LORD NAAS

thought the assurance of the Government satisfactory, and that the hon. and learned Member for Wexford ought not to proceed further at present.

MR. LONGFIELD

said, the compromise was agreed to upon the distinct understanding that the Government Bill should be introduced without delay.

SIR ROBERT PEEL

said, it was necessarily a matter of considerable difficulty to reconcile conflicting interests. The Government hoped to have the Bill ready this week; and, if not, that it would be brought in and printed next week; but it would be rash in him to give a positive pledge on the subject. They were preparing its clauses under the best legal advice, and did not need any spurring.

SIR HERVEY BRUCE

complained that none of those whose interests were affected had been consulted by the Government.

MAJOR GAVIN

said, his anxiety for legislation of some kind arose from the sufferings entailed on fishermen and their families by the illegal increase of stake and bag nets. It would have been but common courtesy to those acting with the hon. Member for Wexford to give them notice of the conference.

SIR WILLIAM SOMERVILLE

said, he thought it would be reasonable to defer the further stages of the present Bill to the latter end of next week, on the understanding that the Government measure would be introduced in the mean time. He thought it very likely that their Bill would not prove satisfactory, as every compromise on this question must entail a sacrifice of public rights.

MR. M'MAHON

said, he would postpone the consideration of the clauses until Monday next; but unless the measure of the Chief Secretary was then before the House, he should put down his Bill every night.

House resumed.

Committee report Progress; to sit again on Monday next.

House adjourned at half after One o'clock.