HC Deb 28 April 1879 vol 245 cc1351-3

(Mr. Secretary Cross, Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Solicitor General, Sir Matthew Ridley.)

COMMITTEE. [Progress 24th April.]

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 3 (Establishment of Office of Solicitor for Public Prosecutions).

MR. NEWDEGATE

said, a great many Gentlemen had gone home, not at all expecting that this Bill would be proceeded with at that early hour of the morning. A very broad principle and a very important issue was involved in this measure, and, therefore, he really hoped the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Assheton Cross) would not press the Committee to continue their work. He begged to move to report Progress.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."—(Mr. Newdegate.)

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

said, they were at the end of the 3rd clause, and certain verbal Amendments were necessary in the 4th and 5th clauses to carry out provisions already passed. He proposed to make these, and then he would move to report Progress,

MR. SERJEANT SIMON

asked if this clause had been passed as it stood?

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

replied that it had.

MR. NEWDEGATE

said, other hon. Gentlemen had Amendments on the Bill before the stage indicated, and he did not know whether the right hon. Gentlemen had arranged with them or not. He had also undertaken not to proceed with it after 1 o'clock in the morning, and as the Bill raised very considerable issues—

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

said, he was misunderstood. He only proposed to make certain necessary and formal Amendments in the 4th and 5th clauses, and then he would himself move to report Progress, in order that the hon. Member might discuss the issues to which he had alluded.

MR. MONK

pointed out that there was a very important Amendment on the Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Liverpool (Mr. Rathbone)—

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

explained that that had been agreed to.

MR. NEWDEGATE

said, he would be perfectly contented if the right hon. Gentleman would postpone taking the discussion on the Bill.

MR. BARING

asked whether the Amendment of the hon. Member for Liverpool (Mr. Rathbone) had been accepted on all sides of the House? He thought it was far better that they should report Progress, and discuss the Bill deliberately at another time.

MR. DILLWYN

remarked, that he understood the right hon. Gentleman only wished to dispose of certain formal Amendments.

MR. DUNDAS

said, he had an Amendment at the end of Clause 3, and he believed that clause was not yet actually passed.

MR. E. JENKINS

asked if that were so? There seemed to be some inconsistency between the statements of the right hon. Gentleman.

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

replied, that he only asked to be allowed to take purely formal Amendments down to the end of Clause 5. He did not think anybody had understood Clause 3 to be postponed.

MR. DODDS

thought this was a most important Amendment, and that, considering the lateness of the hour, they had far better report Progress.

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

quite admitted that the Amendment of the hon. Member was a most important one, and when they reached it, it certainly ought to be discussed.

MR. DODDS

could not admit that the Amendment of the hon. Member for Richmond (Mr. Dundas) was unimportant. It had excited great attention outside the House, and it was one upon which they had had very strong expressions of opinion from those who would be affected by it. He trusted, therefore, that Progress would be reported.

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

said, he did not object to reporting Progress the least in the world; but he thought they might have disposed of some unimportant Business first.

Motion agreed to.

House resumed.

Committee report Progress; to sit again upon Thursday.