THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, he wished to ask the hon. and learned Member for East Suffolk (Sir FitzRoy Kelly), in whose name a Notice of Motion on the Malt Duty stood upon the Votes for to-morrow, Whether he will consent to the postponement of that Motion until after the Debate on the second reading of the Franchise Bill was concluded? That debate could hardly, he was afraid, be brought to a close that evening, and it would be for the convenience of the House that it should be proceeded with from day to day with as little interruption as possible.
§ SIR FITZROY KELLYsaid, he should on all occasions be exceedingly happy to meet the convenience of the House and the wishes of the right hon. Gentleman in any way in his power. He would, therefore, postpone his Motion if the Government would give him a night for its discussion, before the Budget was introduced, If 1359 not, he could not accede to the request of his right hon. Friend consistently with his sense of duty to his constituents.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, that while admitting that the subject of the Malt Duty was one well entitled to consideration, it would not be compatible with the view which the Government entertained of the convenience of the House or of the exigencies of the public business to set apart a night for its discussion before bringing forward the Budget, which he was already under an engagement to hon. Members to introduce on the first available Government night after the second reading of the Franchise Bill.
§ SIR FITZROY KELLYThen, Sir, I shall be obliged to proceed with my Motion to-morrow night.