HC Deb 09 August 1881 vol 264 cc1464-5

MR. J. STEWART, in moving that the Lords' Amendments to this Bill be considered forthwith, said, they were merely of a verbal nature, and there could be no objection to their being considered at once.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Lords' Amendments be forthwith considered."—(Mr. J. Stewart.)

MR. WARTON

said, he must object. In the first place, he had failed to catch even the title of the Bill; but, further than that, he objected to any Bill being considered at that hour—half past 1—which was not down on the Paper. He remembered, on one occasion, that a Bill passed in a very curious manner, owing to the non-observance of the Rules of the House, and he had ever since determined to object to the repetition of such a practice.

MR. J. STEWART

said, that, of course, if the hon. and learned Member for Bridport (Mr. Warton) objected, it would be impossible to go on with the Bill now.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)

Go on.

MR. J. STEWART

wished to impress upon the House that at that period of the Session it was absolutely essential to make Progress with any measure which it was intended to pass into law. He would, therefore, with the permission of the House, persist with the Motion he had made.

MR. WARTON

appealed to Mr. Speaker whether it was possible to take the Lords' Amendments to a Bill in the way now proposed, seeing that the Bill itself was not down upon the Paper for Consideration? Notwithstanding the hon. and learned Attorney General's direction to the hon. Member (Mr. J. Stewart) to "go on," he (Mr. Warton) would like to have a distinct ruling from Mr. Speaker on the point.

MR. SPEAKER

The Bill has been to the Lords, and has come down with certain verbal Amendments. It is usual to consider such Amendments without giving Notice; but if the hon. and learned Member for Bridport presses his objection, the Amendments cannot be considered now, and the debate must stand adjourned.

MR. WARTON

said, he would not press his objection after the statement which had been made by Mr. Speaker.

Question put, and agreed to.

Amendments considered, and agreed to.