[BILL 260.] SECOND READING. (Hansard, 7 August 1879)

§ MR. CHAMBERLAIN
objected to so important a Bill as this being taken on Saturday. He had only one other remark to add to what he had previously said. It was perfectly clear that the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer had made up his mind to withdraw the objectionable clauses; but he should announce the fact, and so relieve hon. Members from the trouble of coming down on Saturday. He thought that that was as ingenious a way of obstructing the Business of the House as any other about which they had heard.

§ MR. RYLANDS
hoped that, after what had occured that evening, the right hon. Gentleman would make a statement to the effect that he would omit the clauses in the Bill to which they objected. If he would make that statement, then they would withdraw their opposition.

§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
declined to make any explanation at that time. At the same time, he did not desire to carry on any personal controversy with hon. Members. He could, however, assure the hon. Member for Birmingham that he did not propose to take a Sitting on Saturday, by way of a penal Sitting. It was 488 necessary for them to pass that Bill, in some form or other, and he proposed to announce to the House on Saturday his intentions with regard to it. He had not intimated his intention to withdraw those portions of the Bill to which the hon. Member for Burnley objected; but he should make a proposal which would, to a certain extent, modify some of the clauses of the Bill. He must, however, repudiate the idea that he intended to withdraw all the clauses to which the hon. Gentleman objected.