HC Deb 27 May 1875 vol 224 cc926-7
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

I wish, Sir, to ask the First Lord of the Treasury after what hour he will not proceed with the third and fourth Orders on the Paper for this evening—namely, the National Debt (Sinking Fund) Bill, and the Local Authorities Loans Bill? I also wish to ask, whether the Government intend to proceed to-night with the Patents for Inventions Bill; and, if not, whether the right hon. Gentleman will state on what day it is proposed to take that Bill? At the same time, it would, I think, be for the convenience of the House to know whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed with the Agricultural Holdings Bill on Monday next. I understood it was intended to place the adjourned debate on the Publication of the Debates as the First Order for Monday, and I should be glad to know whether that will be done?

MR. DISRAELI

Sir, it is certainly the intention of the Government to fulfil their promise to the noble Lord and to secure that the adjourned debate on his Resolutions shall come on upon Monday, and I will take the proper course to-morrow, if necessary, to insure that object. There is no prospect of the Patents for Inventions Bill being taken to-night. As to the third and fourth Orders on the Paper for this evening, it would be unusual, and is quite out of my power, to pledge myself as to the hour at which they are likely to come on.

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

The right hon. Gentleman has forgotten to state whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed with the Agricultural Holdings Bill on Monday. As to the third and fourth Orders for this evening, I am quite aware that it is impossible for the right hon. Gentleman to say at what hour they are likely to come on; but as there may be important discussions on each of those Bills, it would be convenient to know after what hour they will not be proceeded with.

MR. DISRAELI

Of course, we shall not propose anything unreasonable or unusual as to those two Orders. It is certainly not our intention to take the Agricultural Holdings Bill on Monday; but after the debate on the noble Lord's Resolutions, if the opportunity offers, we shall proceed with the Friendly Societies Bill.

MR. NEWDEGATE

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer on what day he proposes that the House should go into Committee of Ways and Means?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, that not having had Notice of the Question, he would defer answering it till to-morrow.