HC Deb 27 March 1873 vol 215 cc292-3

Order for Committee read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."

MR. PELL

moved that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee, on the ground that the Schedules contained certain serious errors, both as regarded dates and references to Acts of Parliament.

Amendment proposed, to leave out from the word "That" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words "the Bill be committed to a Select Committee,"—(Mr. Pell,)—instead thereof.

Question proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question."

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

hoped that the House would not adopt the proposition, as it was necessary—if the Bill were to be put in force this year—that it should pass as speedily as possible. The hon. Gentleman (Mr. Pell) could only discover three alleged errors as to dates, but those could be easily rectified in a Committee of the Whole House.

MR. HUNT

said, it was unreasonable to expect the House to proceed with the Bill, when important changes had been introduced into it, only with two days' notice. Little delay would ensue from referring the Bill to a Select Committee; but if that course were not adopted, at any rate time should be given to examine the scheme as now proposed.

MR. COLLINS

suggested that the Bill should be passed through Committee pro formâ, in order that it might be reprinted with the Amendments of the Attorney General, which would make it practically a new measure.

MR. HIBBERT

said, the Government would be satisfied with simply going into Committee, and having taken that stage Progress would at once be reported and further consideration of the Bill postponed until to-morrow.

MR. WHARTON

drew attention to the circumstance that the Bill would injuriously affect the Revising Barristers.

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

was astonished at the immense mass of Amendments proposed by Government, and thought the best plan would be to go into Committee pro formâ.

Motion made, and Question put, "That the Debate be now adjourned."—(Colonel Barttelot.)

The House divided:—Ayes 45; Noes 64: Majority 19.

Original Question again proposed.

MR. C. LEWIS

supported the Amendment for referring the Bill to a Select Committee.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

assented to the Motion for going into Committee pro formâ on the hon. Member for Leicester (Mr. Pell) withdrawing his Motion for a Select Committee.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Main Question, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair," put, and agreed to.

Bill considered in Committee, and reported; to be printed, as amended [Bill 105]; re-committed for Monday next.