HC Deb 27 April 1871 vol 205 cc1844-6

Order for Committee read.

MR. WATKIN WILLIAMS moved— That it be an Instruction to the Committee, that they have the power to introduce provisions into the Bill making the Law uniform as to the days upon which bills falling due upon holidays shall be payable. In an article in The Times on the 24th of this month, it was pointed out that a great discrepancy would be caused by the Bank Holidays Bill, as the effect of it would be that in some cases bills falling due on a public holiday would become payable on the previous day, and in other cases on the day following. He had conferred with many bankers, merchants, and lawyers upon the subject, and the only objection urged against his proposals proceeded from some of the latter, who said it would nip in the bud a fine crop of litigation.

Motion made, and Question proposed, That it be an Instruction to the Committee, that they have the power to introduce provisions into the Bill milking the Law uniform as to the days upon which bills falling due upon Holidays shall be payable."—(Mr. Watkin Williams.)

MR. BAXTER

hoped the House would not consent to the Instruction; because it had nothing whatever to do with the Bill before the House, which was a simple Stamp Bill, introduced in accordance with a promise made by the Prime Minister, when a previous measure was under consideration. He had received several representations from Chambers of Commerce, expressing hopes that the Government would resist the hon. Gentleman's Motion, as the matter was one which ought not to be dealt with in a Stamp Bill.

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

said, that some time ago he urged the Chancellor of the Exchequer to bring forward this Bill in precisely its present form; and he thought it was the general opinion of the House that it should be allowed to pass sub silentio, without any alterations being introduced into it. He should, therefore, strongly support the Government in this matter.

MR. MORLEY

said, his hon. and learned Friend (Mr. Watkin Williams) would prejudice the question by forcing his Motion to a Division. It ought to be taken up on independent grounds, rather than in connection with the present Bill.

SIR JOHN LUBBOCK

said, he would also appeal to his hon. and learned Friend to withdraw the Motion. In order to effect the great object of giving holidays to bankers' and merchants' clerks, it was worth while to run the risk of the very slight inconvenience which, in some cases, might possibly arise from bills being payable in some cases a day before, and in others a day after a holiday.

Question put, and negatived.

Bill reported, with an amended Title; as amended, to be considered upon Monday next.