[BILL 204.] COMMITTEE. (Hansard, 7 August 1879)

§ MR. MONK

This is rather an unusual hour—3.55 A.M.—to ask that you do leave the Chair. Now, as the House is aware, I have put down an Amendment against going into Committee upon this Bill, and I did that because my hon. and gallant Friend brought on the Bill at half-past 2 o'clock, at a time when it was utterly impossible for it to be discussed. However, I took off that Amendment, so that my hon. and gallant Friend might bring on the Bill at a reasonable hour, for he was quite as anxious as I was that it should be discussed at an hour when the ratepayers in the Metropolis might know something of the legislation taking place in this House. Four o'clock in the morning I do not think is an hour at which we ought to take the Bill. At the same time, if the House desires to go on with it, I am perfectly ready to go on; but I shall have to occupy the time of the House for some time before you leave the Chair. I will, however, make this proposal—that you should at once be allowed to leave the Chair without any discussion, and that then the Preamble of the Bill be postponed, and Progress be reported. If my hon. and gallant Friend agrees to that I will say no more.