§ DR. KENEALYasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he would be pleased to explain any special reasons which might exist for Government passing over three of their own Orders of the Day in Thursday's list, and, unexpectedly, at half-past 12 o'clock, bringing on the Bar Discipline Bill, on which 158 several hon. Members who had left the House wished to speak?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI have looked at the Orders as they stood on the Paper last night. The first was the Factories and Workshops Bill, which occupied the greater part of the evening. Then came the Public Health (Ireland) Bill, with regard to which, I believe, it was generally understood that it would not be proceeded with last night. The Highways Bill came next; and, with reference to that, my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board, early in the evening, gave, to a Question put to him, an Answer from which it might be inferred that the Bill would not be gone on with. Then followed the Roads and Bridges (Scotland) Bill, as to which it was distinctly stated that it would not be taken last night. There remained the Bar Education and Discipline Bill. It would, I think, have been perfectly natural for any hon. Gentleman who wished to take part in the discussion on that Bill to have made some inquiry, either publicly or privately, whether it would or would not be proceeded with; but no Question was asked, and as Progress in Committee on the Factories Bill was reported a few minutes after 12, and as none of the other Bills could be taken, the Bar Education and Discipline Bill standing next, the Attorney General moved the second reading, and his doing so was, I think, quite in accordance with the general practice. I am sorry that hon. Members who had wished to take part in the discussion were not present; but, as was pointed out last night, there will be another opportunity of raising discussion upon the principle of the Bill, on the Question that the Speaker leave the Chair.