HC Deb 09 August 1883 vol 282 cc2111-4
SIR. JOHN LUBBOCK

asked when the Bankruptcy Bill would be taken; and, after what hour it would be taken?

MR. GLADSTONE

, in reply, said, that they proposed to take the Bankruptcy Bill on Saturday, subject always to the condition that they got clear before that day of the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt arid Illegal Practices) Bill, the debate on which would be resumed tomorrow at 2 o'clock. He could not, however, fix an hour after which it would not be taken.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

asked, whether the Government proposed to interrupt Supply to-night, in order to take the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Bill; and, with regard to Saturday, if the Bankruptcy Bill was to be taken on that day, would the right hon. Gentleman say after what hour it would not be proceeded with? He thought they ought to have an undertaking from the Government that such an important Bill would not be taken at a late hour on Saturday.

MR. GLADSTONE

, in reply, said, they did not propose to interrupt Supply to-night in order to take the Bill referred to by the right hon. Gentleman. They intended to devote the whole available time to Supply. The Bill in question would not be taken until to-morrow. He would rather not name an hour of limitation for the Bankrupty Bill; but they should not wish to sit into the evening, and therefore they would not take it at a late hour.

SIR JOHN LUBBOCK

said, he would urge upon the right hon. Gentleman not to take the Bankruptcy Bill on Saturday.

MR. BROADHURST

said, that the measure was one which excited the greatest possible interest among the industrial classes, and he hoped the right hon. Gentleman would proceed with it on Saturday.

MR. A. M'ARTHUR

said, he also hoped it would be proceeded with.

MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

asked, whether the Government intended to take to-morrow evening?

MR. GLADSTONE

, in reply, said, that he was quite convinced of the inconvenience of Saturday Sittings; but, at that period of the Session, they must try to get on with the Bankruptcy Bill. It would, he thought, be a very great mistake if they were to decline to go on with the Bill on Saturday. The discussion on the Supreme Court of Judicature (Now Rules of Procedure) would also, he hoped, be taken on Saturday. With respect to to-morrow evening, there was no important question down, except one in the name of his hon. Friend the Member for Salford (Mr. Arthur Arnold). He might to-morrow make an appeal to his hon. Friend to withdraw it, provided he saw that no other question would be interposed to prevent the Government from deriving the benefit of the evening. But he would not ask his hon. Friend to take that course, unless it could be arranged that no other private Notices should be put on the Paper, and the evening thus lost to the Government.

MR. ARTHUR ARNOLD

said, that in the present state of Public Business, if to-morrow evening were secured for the Government, he would make a willing surrender of his position?

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

asked, what other Business would be taken after Supply, if the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Bill was not taken to-night?

SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOT

asked, when the Army Estimates would be taken again?

MR. GLADSTONE

, in reply, said, they would make the best progress they could with the Civil Service Estimates; and, after closing them, they would proceed with the remaining Votes for the Army Services. After Supply they proposed to proceed, if the House was willing, with the Parliamentary Registration (Ireland) Bill.

MR. GIBSON

asked, whether it was not contemplated to go on with Supply the whole evening?

In reply to Sir JOSEPH M'KENNA,

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

said, there was no doubt that the National Debt Bill was a Money Bill, and could be taken after half-past 12.

SIR JOHN HAY

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, On what day he would take the Committee on the Local Government Board (Scotland) Bill? He did not think Scotch Members would like that it should be taken next week. Moreover, he would remind the right hon. Gentleman that, as next week included the 12th of August, he would not be able to obtain that expression of opinion he must desire on the part of Scottish Representatives if it were delayed till that time?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

said, in reply, while thanking the right hon. and gallant Baronet for his reminder, he knew such a day as the 12th of August was approaching; but he thought the fact that it was so would make no difference to Scotch Members who really wished to attend to Scotch Business. He was rather afraid that they would not thank the right hon. and gallant Baronet for suggesting that the 12th of August would interfere with their regard for the interests of their country. He was not able to state at that moment on what day Committee would be taken.

MR. GORST

Do the Government mean to go on with that Bill at all?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

Most decidedly.