HC Deb 07 March 1872 vol 209 cc1619-20
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

, who had given Notice of his intention to move for leave to bring in a Bill to authorize the acquisition and appropriation by the Metropolitan Board of Works of certain Land reclaimed from the River Thames, in pursuance of the Thames Embankment Act, 1862, said, he had given this Notice yesterday, on the supposition that the Correspondence between the Government and the Metropolitan Board of Works would be laid on the Table that morning. Owing, however, to some delay in the printing department, that was not the case; and, therefore, he did not feel himself justified in pressing the Bill on the attention of the House that night, but would postpone it till Monday.

MR. W. H. SMITH

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether the Government intended to adhere to the terms of the letter addressed to the Metropolitan Board of Works with regard to the sale of the land, as he had a Motion on the subject which he wished to bring forward on Tuesday next, and it might save the time of the House if the Government furnished that information now.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, it was not competent for aim under the Rules of the House now to make any further statement.

MR. VERNON HARCOURT

said, a Select Committee was appointed to consider this question, and that Committee came to a decision on the subject. The Committee rejected the decision of that Committee, which they had themselves nominated. The hon. Member for Westminster had given Notice of a Motion for Tuesday next, to accept the Report of the Committee. Under these circumstances, he thought the Government should not bring forward a Bill on Monday. He asked the Government to state whether they intended by this Bill to reject the decision of the Committee. ["Order!"] To put himself in Order he would move the adjournment of the House.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."—(Mr. Vernon Harcourt.)

MR. ANDERSON

said, he thought the observations of the hon. and learned Member for Oxford were most improper.

MR. GLADSTONE

said, the hon. and learned Member for Oxford was in the habit of laying down the law in that House in a way in which no other Member of his standing in the House ever did. He would not enter into the discussion. The Bill would raise, in the simplest and most direct way, the question which the hon. Member for Westminster (Mr. Smith) wished to raise.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.