MOTION FOR LEAVE. (Hansard, 17 June 1875)

§ DR KENEALY
rose to move for leave to bring in a Bill for shortening the duration of Parliaments. The hon. Member proceeded to address the House at length in favour of triennial Parliaments. The hon. Member's address was received with great impatience, and 139 MR. Speaker reminded him of the Rule of the House that the arguments of any Member addressing the House should be relevant to the subject-matter of his intended Motion. After some time—
Notice taken, that 40 Members were not present; House counted, and 40 Members being found present,
The hon. MEMBER continued his ad-address, and concluded by moving—"That leave be given to bring in a Bill for shortening the Duration of Parliaments."

MR. GATHORNE HARDY
, on behalf of the Government, opposed the Motion, observing that the House had quite enough to do during the present Session without occupying itself with the discussion of the question of its own dissolution.
There were then loud cries for a division; but several hon. Members addressed a few words to the House.

§ MR. MONK
regretted that the Government should have refused leave to introduce the Bill. It was not usual to take such a course, and there was nothing intrinsically wrong in the proposal itself. Of course it could not be expected that the Bill could be discussed this Session.

§ MR. DILLWYN
regretted that the Government had not shown its usual courtesy in this matter.

§ MR. BERESFORD HOPE
said, he thought the Government had shown too much courtesy in this matter, and he hoped that the House would summarily decide the issue.

§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
said, the House had of late years been somewhat lax on the subject of the introduction of Bills. This was a question as to which there was a difference of opinion, and which might give rise to discussion; and he thought that at period of the Session it would not be wise to place on the Paper a Bill which could not be considered. The time might perhaps come when the subject could be properly discussed; but at present he thought it would be wise to refuse the introduction of a new Bill.