HC Deb 05 July 1881 vol 263 cc136-8

Miscellaneous.

Clause 12 (Sale of tenancy without notice of increase of rent).

SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH

asked, did the Government intend to proceed further? He had an Amendment of importance on the Paper; but it seemed to him that the clause had really been practically dealt with by the sub-section in Clause 3. Perhaps the Government did not intend to proceed with it; but if they did, he should move in page 10, line 7, after "tenancy," to insert "under the provisions of this Act and."

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

thought the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Attorney General for Ireland would agree that this was a con- venient point to report Progress. He did not think the Government wished to retain the clause, and he did not think they could have a better stopping place for the night. The Committee had made considerable progress, and it would be pressing them unduly hard to proceed further. He would move that Progress be reported.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."—(Lord Randolph Churchill.)

SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH

hoped there would be some information as to whether the clause was to stand; it would be very inconvenient for hon. Members not to know.

MR. CHAPLIN

said, he had a Notice to omit the clause, and it would be satisfactory to know if the Government intended to persevere with it or not.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. LAW)

said, he did not wish the Committee to go beyond this clause.

MR. GIBSON

said, the right hon. and learned Gentleman did not quite apprehend what had been said. In consequence of the Amendments already made in the Bill, the Government would probably see that all the topics dealt with in the clause had been disposed of; but if they proceeded with the clause at all, it must lead to long discussion, and, it was obvious, could not be disposed of tonight.

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL (Sir FARRER HERSCHELL)

said, it was not reasonable to ask what the Government intended to do on the Motion to report Progress.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

said, if the Government did not intend to press the clause, he would withdraw his Motion; but he would decline to do so if the Government retained the clause, in view of the fact that it must lead to a long discussion and the House met at 12 to-morrow.

MR. CHAPLIN

suggested that the Government should allow Progress to be reported, and then say if they intended to retain the clause. It would be a matter of convenience to all.

MR. BIGGAR

thought it was unreasonable to ask right hon. Gentlemen opposite to make up their minds as to striking out the clause in the absence of the Prime Minister, who had charge of the Bill; but, at the same time, it would be unreasonable to ask the Committee to sit later in view of the early Sitting next day.

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, he would consent to Progress being reported; but he must consult with his right hon. Friend as to the clause.

MR. WARTON

wished to make two suggestions—one was, that the amended clauses should be reprinted as far as the Committee had gone; and the other was, that as the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Attorney General for Ireland had promised to consider an immense number of points on Report, a list of these should be printed and added to from time to time, to give some notion of the proposals that were to come.

Question put, and agreed to.

Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow.

Back to