HC Deb 04 June 1877 vol 234 cc1292-3

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read the second time."—(Mr. Assheton Cross.)

MR. DILLWYN

appealed to the Government not to proceed with the Bill at that time, as many hon. Members who had announced their intention to oppose the Bill left the House, as they understood an arrangement had been made, and the Government had promised not to take the second reading that night. He would move the Adjournment of the Debate.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Debate be now adjourned." — (Mr. Dillwyn.)

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, that the arrangement was a conditional one, and the conditions had not been fulfilled. It had been hoped that they might have been able to go on with the Factories Bill, and in that case the Bishoprics Bill would not have been taken.

MR. J. COWEN

objected to the second reading on the same ground as the hon. Member for Swansea (Mr. Dillwyn).

SIR ANDREW LUSK

asked that time might be given for the discussion of the Bill.

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

did not understand that any arrangement had been come to as to the hour when the Bill should be taken, and hoped that it would be proceeded with. The Bill was brought in in pursuance of a debate which took place on this subject very fully last year, in which there was an overwhelming majority in favour of the Bill, so that the discussion had already taken place.

MR. DODSON

thought there had been such an understanding. [An hon. MEMBER: A misunderstanding.] Well, a misunderstanding. In any case no ad- vantage could be gained by pressing the Bill now which could only lead to a waste of time in a division on the question of Adjournment.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER,

while he did not understand that any arrangement had been come to as to the hour when the Bill should be taken, said, the Government would not press it if there was any doubt on the subject.

MR. PARNELL

objected to the Adjournment of the Debate, if it was merely in order that Irish Bills which stood on the Paper should be taken at a late hour.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, he could assure the hon. Member that it was not intended to proceed with those Bills that night.

Question put, and agreed to.

Debate adjourned till To-morrow, at Two of the clock.