HC Deb 27 August 1880 vol 256 cc397-8
MR. CALLAN

said, that at an early period of the morning he offered to give up the position he held on the Paper for the purpose of facilitating Public Business; and though his offer was not accepted at the time, he found that in his absence it was taken for granted that his offer would hold good. He would not withdraw from what he believed to be a bonâd fide arrangement, and, therefore, would not proceed with his Motion. But having had precedence to-night both of the hon. Member for Galway and the right hon. and gallant Baronet the Member for the Wigtown Burghs (Sir John Hay), he thought he had a claim on the Government to give him facilities for bringing on his Motion.

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, the hon. Member was aware that he was not in a position to be able to make any arrangement with regard to the conduct of Public Business; but, of course, he (Mr. W. E. Forster) was also perfectly aware of these two facts. First, that the Motion of the hon. Member for Louth stood first on the Paper for that night; and, secondly, that he, with great regard to the public convenience, most kindly made an offer that morning to waive his right to bring it forward on the present occasion. He, therefore, recognized that if there be any claim at all to the consideration of the Government, the hon. Member had the greatest.

LORD HENRY LENNOX

said, that if the hon. Member for Louth was first to-night he (Lord Henry Lennox) was first yesterday; but on an appeal made by the Secretary to the Treasury, he consented to postpone the Question which stood in his name, and which excited some public interest. The removal of the Collections to the new South Kensington Museum would commence in the course of next month, and it was highly desirable to know how far these Collections could be made avail- able to the public. He should like to know whether he would be able to bring forward his Motion next week?

LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISH

said, he was well aware that the noble Lord had yielded to the appeal made to him. He could not, however, give his noble Friend an absolute pledge; but he thought an opportunity might be found for bringing on the question on the Re-port of Supply, or on some other occasion in the course of next week.

Motion agreed to.