HC Deb 27 May 1879 vol 246 cc1400-1

Bill considered in Committee and reported, with an Amendment.

On Motion, "That the Bill, as amended, be considered upon Tuesday 10th June, at Two of the clock."

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

objected that this was the first intimation which the Government had given of their intention to take a Morning Sitting on that day.

SIR HENRY SELWTN-IBBETSON

said, that the Morning Sittings had been taken at as early an hour in former Sestions, and the Government only followed their usual precedent.

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

said, that considering the great difficulty in getting through the Business of the House, he was in favour of really setting to work in the mornings. As at present arranged, when so-called Morning Sittings were taken, the House did not sit longer than otherwise—they sat 2 to 7 instead of 4 to 9—the only effect being to steal, as it were, the evenings given to Private Members, and to enable hon. Members to go to dinner who did not come back again, and so very frequently the time after 9 was also lost to private Members. He proposed that the Bills mentioned be considered at 11 o'clock on Tuesday, 10th June.

MR. SPEAKER

It is not competent for the hon. Member to move an Amendment of that character.

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

withdrew his opposition to the Morning Sitting in question, on the understanding that the Morning Sittings would be regular, and would thus put an end to the present uncertainty.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, it was proposed to take Morning Sittings on Tuesdays after Whitsuntide, and it would also be then convenient to commence Business at a quarter-past 4, instead of half-past.

Motion agreed to.