HC Deb 16 May 1884 vol 288 cc638-9

Order read, for resuming Adjourned Debate on Question [21st March] "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair" (for Committee on the Revision of Jurors and Voters Lists (Dublin County) Bill.

Question again proposed. Debate resumed.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 1 agreed to.

Clause 2 (Power to appoint revising barrister).

MR. TREVELYAN

said, he thought that, under the circumstances, it was hardly fair to proceed with the Bill further. A very great point had been gained by the Speaker having left the Chair, because they would now be able to take the Bill up at any time. Many hon. Gentlemen who had got Amendments down upon the Paper were not present, besides which no statement with regard to the Bill had been made by the Minister in charge of it, in. the presence of the hon. Gentlemen who were opposed to the measure. The Government would not be justified in pushing the Bill through Committee in the absence of Gentlemen who took great interest in it; and therefore he begged to move that Progress be now reported.

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

MR. HEALY

said, he did not wish to oppose the Motion, but to point out that the opposition to the Bill was purely factious. The Amendments which stood on the Paper were bogus Amendments; they were put down by hon. Gentlemen for certain hon. Gentlemen who had not the courage to oppose the Bill themselves—namely, the right hon. and learned Members for the University of Dublin (Mr. Gibson and Mr. plunket). He (Mr. Healy) thought it would be reasonable to proceed as far as the clause to which there was an Amendment, before the Motion to report Progress was made.

MR. COURTNEY

reminded the hon. Gentleman that they had got as far as Clause 2, to which Notice of Amendment had been given. A distinct advantage had been gained by getting into Committee; and he put it to the hon. Member whether it would be quite fair to proceed further under the circumstances? The hon. Member was well aware that the Government put down Supply for that night; and it was only at the last moment they determined not to go on with effective Supply.

MR. TOMLINSON

said, the Bill would throw a comparatively large burden upon the British taxpayer, yet not one word of explanation had been offered by the Government. He agreed that it would be most unreasonable to proceed further with the Bill that night.

MR. HEALY

said, the Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Courtney) had put the matter very fairly, and he (Mr. Healy) would not oppose the Motion to report Progress. He suggested, however, that the Bill should be put down for an early date.

Motion agreed to.

Committee report Progress; to sit again upon Monday next.