HC Deb 18 June 1880 vol 253 cc393-4

Motion made, and Question proposed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make temporary provision with respect to Compensation for Disturbance in certain cases of Ejectment for non-payment of rent in parts of Ireland."—(Mr. William Edward Forster.)

SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOT

said, that he rose for the purpose of asking whether it was competent for the right hon. Gentleman to introduce the Bill if objected to? It was a most important Bill, and one certainly which should not be laid upon the Table of the House without really some direct explanation from the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary for Ireland. No such explanation had been given; and he believed that he (Sir Walter B. Barttelot) was quite within his right in saying that the Bill ought not to be read at that time without due and proper Notice being given. In this case due Notice had not been given of the Bill, for it had been placed on the Notice Paper only that evening; and under the Standing Order 95 A. of the House, it was competent to any hon. Member who was not satisfied with its object to oppose its introduction. Under these circumstances, he begged to move that the Motion be not put that evening.

MR. W. E. FORSTER

asked Mr. Speaker whether the hon. and gallant Baronet was justified in objecting to the introduction of the Bill, against which no Notice of Amendment had been put down, after half-past 12?

MR. SPEAKER

said, that the Standing Order of the 18th of February, 1879, was in these terms— That except for a Money Bill, no Order of the Day or Notice of Motion be taken after half-past 12 of the clock at night with respect to which Order or Notice of Motion a Notice of Opposition or Amendment shall have been printed on the Notice Paper, or if such Notice of Motion shall only have been given next previous day of sitting, and objection shall be taken when such Notice is called. The hon. and gallant Baronet would perceive that it was now too late for him to object to the Bill being introduced and read a first time.

MR. HALSEY

said, that he must appeal to the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary for Ireland (Mr. W. E. Forster) not to allow such an important measure as that to be taken at that time. It would most seriously affect the relations between landlords and tenants in Ireland; and, under those circumstances, he begged to move that the debate be now adjourned.

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

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, he did not think it necessary that the debate should be adjourned. He thought that hon. Members were well acquainted with the character of the Bill. No doubt there might be strong objections to it on the part of some hon. Members: but still the Bill had been introduced by the Government in the belief that it was necessary for the good government of Ireland, and that he hoped to show to the satisfaction of the House. Therefore, he would appeal not merely to hon. Members on that side of the House, but to hon. Members on both sides, that the common consideration shown to hon. Members generally should not be denied to the Government for a Bill of that nature.

SIR H. DEUMMOND WOLFF

said, he hoped his hon. Friend (Mr. Halsey) would withdraw the Motion for the adjournment. There had been considerable doubts as to whether the Bill could be brought forward that evening; but as it now appeared that the objection of the hon. and gallant Baronet the Member for West Sussex (Sir Walter B. Barttelot) was not raised at the proper time, he (Sir H. Drummond Wolff) thought that, in common courtesy to the hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary for Ireland, opposition to the progress of the Bill should now be withdrawn.

MR. HALSEY

said, that after the explanation of the right hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. W. E. Forster) he begged to withdraw his Motion.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Original Question put, and agreed to.

Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. WILLIAM EDWARD FORSTER, Mr. ATTORNEY GENERAL for IRELAND, and Mr. SOLICITOR GENERAL for IRELAND.

Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 232.]