HC Deb 09 August 1879 vol 249 cc654-5

Order for Consideration, as amended, read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now taken into Consideration."—(Mr. Torrens.)

MR. RYLANDS

protested against the Bill having been put down for a Saturday Sitting, as it was a private Member's Bill, and moved that the debate be adjourned.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Debate be now adjourned."—(Mr. My lands.)

MR. W. M. TORRENS

hoped the hon. Member would not press his Motion. The Sunday Closing Bill, introduced by a private Member, was considered in its amended form last Session. He denied that the measure before the House was a Private Bill, five of the principal clauses having been adopted at the instance of the Government. He hoped the House would not be led away by a technicality, which was neither more nor less than obstruction pure and simple.

MR. COURTNEY

thought the Bill was of too great importance to be discussed at half-past 5 o'clock on a Saturday, and in the absence of the hon. Member (Mr. Isaac), who had given Notice of Amendments which involved serious consideration.

SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON

hoped the House would not agree to the hon. Member's (Mr. Rylands') proposal, the measure having been already fully discussed, after re-casting and re-modelling by the Home Secretary and the President of the Local Government Board, in order that it might be rendered harmonious with existing legislation. It was by no means a private Member's Bill, many of the more important clauses having been inserted by the Local Government Board.

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

approved the general principle of the Bill.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Original Question put, and agreed to.

Bill considered.

A Clause (Application of Act to Ireland,)—(Mr Attorney General for Ireland,)—added.

Another Clause (Application of Act to Scotland,)—(The Lord Advocate,)—added.

Other Amendments made.

Bill read the third time, and passed.

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