HC Deb 14 February 1878 vol 237 cc1691-2

Order for Committee read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."—(Mr. Staveley Bill.)

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

said, he hoped they would have some expression of opinion from the Government before they proceeded with this Bill. A Committee had been sitting on the subject in the House of Lords, and he believed there was an understanding that no measure of this description should be proceeded with in that House until a Report had been received from the House of Lords.

MR. STAVELEY HILL

said, that although he would have no objection to postponing the Committee until Monday, it must not be taken that he consented to an adjournment of the Bill until the Committee of the House of Lords had reported. They had the whole of the evidence; but as it seemed to be the opinion of the House that it was not advisable to proceed with the Bill at that hour—10 minutes to 12—he would consent that it should be taken for Monday.

MR. FAWCETT

said, he hoped that the Government would give some expression of opinion on the subject. The Bill would affect a very important class of trade, and he thought that, considering the very many thousands of people who were connected with this Bill, and would be seriously affected, and seeing that the Bill was introduced without a word, and the second reading was agreed to without a word, that the Government were bound to state their views upon it. If this were not done, he should take the earliest opportunity of moving the adjournment of the debate.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Committee deferred till Monday next.