HC Deb 10 June 1875 vol 224 cc1626-7
MR. W. E. FORSTER

asked if there was to be a Morning Sitting on Friday? Members would also like to know when the Patents for Inventions Bill and the Agricultural Holdings Bill would be brought on.

MR. CAMPBHLL-BANNERMAN

inquired if there was any chance of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Bill coming on that night?

MR. DISRAELI

It is not the intention of the Government to ask for a Morning Sitting to-morrow. After the failure to make a House the other night I should not have courage to ask for that favour. I wish to state, however, that on that occasion 14 Members of the Government were present; and I myself should have been present a few minutes later had not the House been counted out. I was under the impression that we had arrived at an agreement that the House was not to be counted out at a 9 o'clock meeting until after the lapse of a quarter of an hour. With regard to the Agricultural Holdings Bill, I shall have the honour of introducing it myself as soon as I can get a day to meet the general convenience of the House; but there are several things to consider, both as regards the state of Public Business and the engagements of our fellow-Members who may be called away at a particular time, and I therefore cannot fix a day. I cannot say anything very definitely about the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Bill, and the Patents for Inventions Bill will not come on to-night

MR. LOWE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, When he would take the third reading of the National Debt Bill? He (Mr. Lowe) had been misrepresented by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in a very serious way upon a certain point, and he should have liked to reply.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, he intended to take the Bill on Monday. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman could make his explanation now as a "personal" statement.

MR. LOWE

I have consulted the highest authority on the subject, and I am told I cannot.

MR. NEWDEGATE

asked, Whether there was any objection to the adoption of the recommendation of the Committee on Public Business in 1871, whereby the House when it met at 9 could not be counted till a quarter past.

MR. DISRAELI

said, his hon. Friend must give Notice of any Motion to that effect.