HC Deb 17 July 1873 vol 217 cc590-1

(Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Solicitor General.)

COMMITTEE.

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

protested against going on with the Bill at a quarter to 1 o'clock in the morning, and he moved that Progress be reported.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again"—(Mr. Cross.)

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

said, that substantially the Bill was unopposed. There was only one clause opposed, and he would leave that one out.

MR. GLADSTONE

said, that at the present period of the year, the effect of such a Motion would be to lengthen the Session.

MR. R. N. FOWLER

said, that there were four pages of Amendments.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

said, that the Amendments really were practically arranged.

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

refused to withdraw in consequence of the extremely late sitting. On Monday the House sat till 4 o'clock, on Tuesday till 2, and they were to meet at 2 this clay, it being now a quarter to 1 o'clock.

Question put.

The Committee divided:—Ayes 78; Noes 126: Majority 48.

MR. F. S. POWELL

moved that the Chairman do now leave the Chair.

MR. J. LOWTHER

wished to remind the Prime Minister who had warned the Committee that to agree to this Motion would lengthen the Session, that he had undertaken to find a day for a measure which could not possibly pass this Ses- sion, and which would therefore convert the House into a debating club.

MR. GLADSTONE

had never said that he proposed to lengthen the Session by discussing a Bill that could not possibly pass. It was a harsh and unfair thing on the part of a small minority to press such a Motion; but as he did not wish to see a repetition of the divisions and late sittings of the last week, he would leave the hon. Gentleman to enjoy his victory.

MR. BERESFORD HOPE

protested against the tone and manner of the right hon. Gentleman, and declared that it would be an act of tyranny on the part of the majority to attempt to force this Bill through Committee at such an hour. The Opposition had been sitting there during a long and arduous evening to protect the Government against its unruly and terrible children below the gangway, and at 1 o'clock in the morning they ought not to be subject to such comments.

Motion agreed to.

Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow.