HC Deb 05 August 1881 vol 264 cc1104-6

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Second Reading of the Bill be deferred till Saturday."—(Mr. T. P. O'Connor.)

MR. WARTON

said, he must object to the Motion, for a solemn pledge had been given by the Prime Minister that nothing but Supply would be taken at the Saturday Sitting.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

said, this was a private Member's Bill; but he was quite willing to agree to its being postponed to a later day, if the Government would take charge of it. He did not hear the Prime Minister's pledge given, and, of course, he (Mr. T. P. O'Connor) was not bound by it. He was quite willing to put off the Bill to a later day if the Government would withdraw their opposition. He was aware that he would be unable to proceed with the Bill this Session, but he only wanted to bring it to discussion; but that he was prevented from doing by the Notice of the hon. Baronet the Member for Bath (Sir Arthur Hayter), why put down he did not know. He had no wish to encumber the Saturday's Notice Paper if the Government would afford him another opportunity.

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)

said, Her Majesty's Government could not afford the hon. Member any such opportunity.

MR. R. N. FOWLER

asked Mr. Speaker if it was not open to a Member to move to amend the Motion for postponement by substituting Monday for Saturday?

MR. SPEAKER

Such a course has never been taken to my knowledge without Notice; but if the hon. Member thinks proper to move an Amendment the House will deal with it.

MR. R. N. FOWLER

said, that he would beg to move that the Bill be postponed to Monday.

MR. WARTON

said, he would second that Motion, which, though it might be unusual, was justified by the unusual circumstances. The Prime Minister had given a solemn pledge that nothing but Supply should be taken on the Saturday; and. if any Bill were put down for that day he (Mr. Warton) should give it his decided opposition.

Amendment proposed, to leave out "Saturday" and insert "Monday" in proposed Question.—(Mr. R. N. Fowler.)

Question proposed, "That the word 'Saturday' stand part of the Question."

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

said, he would not put the House to the trouble of a division, but would assent to the Bill being put down for Monday.

Question put, and negatived.

Original Question, as amended, put, and agreed to.

Second Reading deferred till Monday.