HC Deb 29 April 1872 vol 210 cc1977-8

Order for Third Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read the third time."—(Mr. Baxter.)

MR. HUNT

said, that the Bill had passed through nearly all its stages at about 1 o'clock in the morning, and he believed its purport was not understood. He found that it interfered with vested rights secured by an Act of William IV., which was an agreement between the Government of that day and certain persons giving up their offices. The words "public department" in that Act could not be supposed to relate to India, and, therefore, being unable to regard this as an honest Bill, he must, by way of protest, move that it be read a third time that day six months.

Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."—(Mr. Hunt.)

Question proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, since the Act passed in 1834, it had always been acted upon as though the words "public department" in it did extend to India, and innumerable pensions had been granted on that supposition. A doubt having been suggested as to the truth of the construction, it was only a matter of justice to the parties who had acted upon that belief that the law should be altered as proposed.

MR. SCLATER-BOOTH

said, the important question was whether injustice was done to individuals.

MR. GLADSTONE

agreed that the parties interested in the Bill should know what Parliament was about; but he thought the doctrine of the right hon. Gentleman opposite dangerous and mischievous. There was no doubt as to the intention of the Act; but now the supposition was that it had failed to carry that into effect from a casual defect in the wording of the covenant between the parties.

MR. COLLINS

hoped that the question would not be pressed to a division.

SIR LAWRENCE PALK

said, he was of opinion that the House was entitled to know how the Bill would work, and he thought that the Bill should not be pressed at that hour. He would move, therefore, that the debate be adjourned.

Motion made, and Question, "That the Debate be now adjourned,"—(Sir Lawrence Palk,)—put, and negatived.

MR. HUNT

believed that the orginal words were never intended to cover so much ground. He should not divide upon the question, but he wished to throw upon the Government the responsibility in this matter.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Main Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read the third time; verbal Amendment made.

Bill passed.