CONSIDERATION. (Hansard, 6 August 1872)

§ MR. CHARLEY
moved the adjournment of the debate, on the ground that the Bill with its Amendments had only been printed an hour ago and just placed in the hands of Members. When the Bill first came down from the Lords it contained 34 pages; it now contained 49. It then consisted of 62 clauses, which were now increased to 87. Under these circumstances, he thought that they could not go on with the discussion upon the Bill satisfactorily, and this was the ground upon which he moved the adjournment of the debate.

§ MR. CAWLEY
seconded the Motion.

§ MR. F. S. POWELL
said, that he had put a Question at 2 o'clock to the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Bruce), and from what then took place he thought that the general feeling of the House was that the consideration of the Bill should be proceeded with now. He trusted, however, that if there should be any serious miscarriage on the Report the Home Secretary would not object to the re-committal of the Bill on the third reading, so that the miscarriage might be amended. He therefore thought they ought to go on with the debate.

§ MR. STRAIGHT
was of opinion that they ought to go on with the Bill, as there were very few points now about which any great difference of opinion existed.

§ MR. CAWLEY
said, he had seconded the Motion for the adjournment of the debate because he thought that by doing so, and taking the discussion to-morrow, they would facilitate the progress of the measure. He could not understand how the hon. Gentleman (Mr. F. S. Powell) could say that the feeling of the House was that they should then proceed with the Bill, seeing that it was only about five minutes since it was placed in their hands in its amended form. He thought if the Bill were taken the first thing tomorrow, the progress of the measure would be expedited instead of delayed, because to go on with it then would only be to invite Amendments to be brought forward on the third reading.

§ MR. WATNEY
reminded hon. Members that a great deal of time had already been spent on the Bill, and thought there was no reason to complain of the want of opportunity for settling Amendments.

§ MR. F. S. POWELL
rose to explain, and said that upon consulting with several Members he found that there was a strong feeling to proceed with the Bill forthwith.

§ MR. COLLINS
said, the position of the House every day became worse. There were very few Members present to-night, and there would be still fewer to-morrow at noon. He was, therefore, in favour of going on.

§ MR. RUSSELL GURNEY
said, it would be impossible to go on with the Bill. It had been understood that it would be printed at 12 o'clock; but it had not been printed until 7 or 8 o'clock, and there would be no time, if they proceeded with the measure, to see the effect of the Amendments.

§ MR. LOCKE
was at a loss to understand why there should be any strong desire for making alteration in the clauses which had been passed and been added to the Bill, seeing that there had been sufficient opportunity for considering them on the previous night.

MR. GLADSTONE
said, that having listened to the debate, he had come to a conclusion which he thought would meet the case, although he believed it would not meet with the consent of the majority of the House. The state of the case was this—Here was a Bill of great importance. It had been discussed with ability, with a great expenditure of time, and in very minute detail in Committee, and it 598 had undergone large alterations and extension. It had just been reported, and the Government had proposed to go on with it immediately, and before it was possible, perhaps, for Members to examine it sufficiently. Having heard several Members express a difficulty in regard to going on to-night, and being at the same time aware that the feeling of the House was against any delay, he thought it would not be altogether just for the mere majority to decide to go on. Members who desired it ought to have further time to examine the Bill, and the present stage ought not to be taken unless the House were unanimous. In the circumstances he thought the best course would be to fix the Bill for 12 o'clock to-morrow, but on the understanding that after the Report the third reading would then be taken. Of course, the Appropriation Bill would come on first.