§ Bill considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ MR. WARTONpointed out that there were a number of Amendments to this Bill on the Paper; and as it was perfectly impossible to deal with them properly at that hour of the morning (4 A.M.), he should move to report Progress.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."—(Mr. Warton.)
§ MR. O'SULLIVANremarked, that this Bill had been supported by Her Majesty's Government, and almost unanimously by hon. Members. There was nothing whatever of a contentious character in the 11 Amendments on the Paper, which could, therefore, be settled by about 10 minutes' discussion. Under the circumstances, he hoped the hon. and learned Member would not press his Motion to report Progress.
§ Question put.
§ The Committee divided:—Ayes 24; Noes 30: Majority 6.—(Div. List, No. 94.)
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do now leave the Chair."—(Sir Hervey Bruce.)
§ MR. COURTNEYpointed out that the Bill was in progress, and could be taken up any night. He, therefore, put it to hon. Members that, instead of going to a division on a question in respect to which there was a good deal to be said, they should consent to the withdrawal of this Motion, and then report Progress.
§ MR. GRAYsaid, that as he had been in charge of this Bill for some years he would appeal to the hon. Member for Limerick (Mr. O'Sullivan) to accede to this suggestion. He certainly should not be desirous of pressing too hardly on the Government, as they had shown every disposition to be friendly to this Bill. He would advise the hon. Member to agree to report Progress, and put the Bill down again for to-morrow night, with the hope that the Government would be able to give a further opportunity of considering it.
§ Motion, by leave, withdrawn.
§ Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow.