§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked, Whether the Chief Secretary for Ireland was ready to state the course the Government proposed to adopt with regard to the Labourers (Ireland) Bill, which was placed on the Paper for to-morrow?
§ MR. TREVELYANsaid, that in the remarks which he made on Wednesday last he named a fortnight as the minimum time which would be required for the Government to agree upon the Amendments, which were of so important a nature that they would amount to something like a reconstruction of the Bill on certain points. He understood that the hon. Gentleman named to-morrow with the intention of postponing the Bill for another week, if he (Mr. Trevelyan) desired it. Any obstruction placed in the way of the Bill by a private Member had been done on his own responsibility, and, no, doubt, for very good reasons, but without the approval of the Government.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORsaid, that an hon. Member, with characteristic meddlesomeness, had put down a blocking Notice; and he wished to know from the Chief Secretary whether the Government intended to adopt any such course towards the Bill?
§ MR. TREVELYANsaid, the Government did not intend to take that course, 1761 and he rather protested against the hon. Member's description of the blocking Notice. He could very well understand, as this was an extremely important Bill, some hon. Members putting down such a Notice from a desire that the Bill should receive the very fullest discussion. There was a distinct understanding the other day that if the Government saw its way to adopt the Bill, with certain Amendments which he would propose, the Government would be quite satisfied to take it very late at night. The hon. Member who put down the blocking Notice might not have been aware of that proposal on the part of the Government. But that was the course which the Government wished to pursue with regard to the Bill, and they would use their influence with other hon. Members in order that that course might be adopted.
§ MR. BUCHANANasked the Chief Secretary if lie would allow the House to see the Amendments which he intended to propose, and give opportunities for full discussion?
§ MR. TREVELYANreplied, that he considered this Bill as of very serious importance. In the present state of Business they would be obliged to take it very late at night. The only Irish Bills which the House had considered this Session had been taken late at night, and the discussion was ample, and conducted in a business-like manner. Whatever hour the Labourers' Bill came on, the Government intended it should have full discussion.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORsaid, that if he might enter into an undertaking, he would frankly co-operate with the right hon. Gentleman in any course he might adopt to further the Bill. He asked whether by that course he would be precluded from bringing it on late at night?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe hon. Gentleman will consult his own duty in the matter.
§ MR. BUCHANANinquired if the Chief Secretary would place his Amendments on the Notice Paper before Committee stage was reached, so as to secure an adequate discussion of the Bill at that stage?
§ MR. TREVELYANYes; certainly.
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANsaid, that while he was very anxious to see the Bill carried, he certainly did not under- 1762 stand the right hon. Gentleman to say that he would take the Bill at a late hour. ["Order!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERinterposed, and the hon. Member, being out of Order, resumed his seat.