THE O'CONOR DONasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, under all the circumstances connected with the Irish Sunday Closing Bill and the interest evinced in it, he will give any facilities for proceeding with the Bill at an earlier hour in the evening than would otherwise be possible?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, I have always been most anxious, on the part of the Government, to fulfil the engagement which we entered into—that in the event of certain Amendments being adopted we should give facilities for the progress of the Bill. I understand that an agreement has been come to between the promoters and the leading opponents of the Bill that, if a fair opportunity is given for discussion, the discussion should take place on the merits of the clauses, and should not be merely of a dilatory character. In view of that arrangement, I have caused the Order for the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors on Sunday (Ireland) Bill to be placed as the second Order after Supply, and I propose to adjourn the Committee of Supply at a reasonable hour—say between 11 and 12—in order that there may be a discussion on the Bill.
§ MR. ONSLOWasked the hon. Member for Roscommon, Whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed with the Bill to-night; and, also, whether it is intended to put down the Bill for every Government night in the course of the Session?
THE O'CONOR DON, in reply, said, that the answer given by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the House was a sufficient reply to the first part of the Question; and of course, as the Government promised facilities for the Bill, it was his intention to proceed with it that night. With regard to the further progress of the Bill, he should certainly take every means in his power of pressing it on at any hour which the majority of the House thought a reasonable one for proceeding with it.
§ SIR JOSEPH M'KENNAasked, Whether the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer is aware that the agreement entered into upon 33 the last occasion applied only to the 1st clause?
THE O'CONOR DONsaid, by way of reply to the Question, he might at once say that it was not his intention to press the Bill farther than the 1st clause that night.