HC Deb 28 August 1880 vol 256 cc600-2

Order for Second Reading read.

MR. ARTHUR PEEL

, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, explained, that Lord Plunket had voted in the House of Lords before he had taken the Oath, and had been served with notice of several claims to the penalty of £500. The noble Lord, however, had taken the Oath before he voted on the Compensation for Disturbance (Ireland) Bill. The noble Lord was known as a humane landlord, who had not evicted any of the tenants on his estates, while he had been distinguished by his efforts to relieve distress and his own liberality towards sufferers; and it was to be hoped that no Members of this House would pursue a vindictive course towards a noble Lord because he had given expression to conscientious opinions in his place in Parliament. Although there were several Notices of opposition to the Bill, he hoped the opposition would not be persisted in; but that hon. Members would be content with the protest they had already made.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Arthur Peel.)

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

said, that after the appeal made by the hon. Member, he should not persevere with his oppo- sition to the Bill, and he hoped his hon. Friends would follow his example. Lord Plunket was a Bishop of the Irish Church; but he must say that his Lordship had acted in an un-Christian manner in voting against the Burials Bill, and in an unpatriotic manner in voting against the Compensation for Disturbance (Ireland) Bill. He did not wish to be vindictive in political matters; and, therefore, he would withdraw his Motion.

MR. FINIGAN

said, he had intended to oppose the Bill; but, at the suggestion of the hon. Member for Cork, he gave way.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

hoped that the hon. Members from Ireland, being in such a good humour, would consent to the remaining stages of this Bill being taken. The noble Lord and right rev. Prelate had been subjected to a good deal of anxiety; and he thought he had been taught a lesson which he would not forget, and that they might now allow the Bill to pass.

MR. PARNELL

remarked, that one good turn deserved another, and if the noble Lord and his followers would withdraw their opposition to the Registration of Voters (Ireland) Bill, so that it might be advanced a stage at this Sitting, he and his Friends would make no objection to this Bill passing its remaining stages.

SIR DAVID WEDDERBURN

said, that this was the second time an indemnity measure had been introduced by the Government, and he should like to be informed why such measures should be introduced by the Government?

MR. ARTHUR PEEL

said, the inadvertence of the noble Lord in question having been condoned by the House of Lords, it was merely a matter of courtesy to confirm their Lordships' views of the case.

Motion agreed to.

Bill read a second time, and committed.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."—(Mr. Arthur Peel.)

MR. PARNELL

said, that, in the absence of any response from the noble Lord (Lord Randolph Churchill), he should oppose the further progress of the Bill. He moved the adjournment of the debate.

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

MR. CALLAN

did not think the noble Lord could undertake that the opposition to the Irish Bill should be withdrawn, although he had been a stop-gap on a former occasion.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

said, there would be impropriety in his entering into such a bargain as that proposed by the hon. Member for Cork.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Original Question put, and agreed to.

Bill considered in Committee, and reported, without Amendment; read the third time, and passed.