HC Deb 27 June 1878 vol 241 cc327-8
THE O'CONOR DON

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he can now state what facilities he proposes to offer for making further progress with the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors on Sunday (Ireland) Bill?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

The engagement entered into by the Government at the commencement of the Session by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies (Sir Michael Hicks-Beach) was, that if the promoters would agree to certain Amendments to be proposed by the Government, then the Government would give all the facilities it could towards the progress of the Bill. Those Amendments were accepted, and the Government have fulfilled their part of the engagement; and I may point out to the hon. Gentleman, and the House, that the Government has really done a good deal, although the progress made has not been as rapid as might have been expected. I do not think it will be possible to put the Bill down before Government Business on a Government night, but the proposal I would make is this: —The Bill has already got through Committee and stands for consideration on the Amendments. We are prepared to have a Saturday Sitting for that purpose.

THE O'CONOR DON

What Saturday does the Chancellor of the Exchequer propose to take?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

Next Saturday.

THE O'CONOR DON

Do I understand that the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposes Saturday next?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

Yes.

MR. O'SULLIVAN

desired to ask the hon. Member for Roscommon, Whether he intended to accept the offer of a Saturday Sitting for proceeding with the Sunday Closing Bill, seeing that Saturday was one of the most sacred holidays of the Church to which the majority of the people of Ireland belonged, and, in their opinion, Sunday would probably be a more appropriate day for proceeding with it?

THE O'CONOR DON

said, he was perfectly ready to accept the offer and would say the better the day the better the deed.

SIR JOSEPH M'KENNA

When will the right hon. Gentleman move that a Saturday Sitting be taken?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

To-morrow.

MR. ONSLOW

Has the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer considered the possibility of its being necessary to devote the Morning Sitting to the discussion of the question of the propriety of a Saturday's Sitting?