HC Deb 23 April 1885 vol 297 cc493-4
MR. RITCHIE

asked the President of the Local Government Board when he expected the Amendments of the Government to the Redistribution Bill to be distributed?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

said, that some were ready and some were not, and as it was desirable to put them down together he proposed to put them all on the Paper to-morrow.

MR. LEWIS

inquired when the Government proposed to take the Irish Registration Bill?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

To-morrow, Sir.

MR. PARNELL

asked the President of the Local Government Board who was responsible for placing the Scotch Registration Bill second in that night's Paper, and the Irish Registration Bill 17th?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

said, that the Irish Registration Bill would be the first Order to-morrow. There was no intention to take it that night.

MR. PARNELL

asked whether this Bill would be proceeded with throughout the Sitting to-morrow?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Yes, Sir.

MR. HEALY

suggested that one stage should be taken to-night, as the Bill was not blocked. They might get the Speaker out of the Chair, and then tomorrow proceed with the Amendments.

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

said, he had no objection.

MR. GIBSON

said, he would like to know whether there was to be any definiteness in the proposals of the Government? They were just told that the Irish Bill would be taken to-morrow, and now they were told that it would be taken to-night. Was anything to be done to-night, or was there to be merely a pretence of doing something?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

said, the original intention was to do nothing until to-morrow; but then came the suggestion of the hon. Member for Monaghan (Mr. Healy) that they should get the Speaker out of the Chair tonight after the Scotch Bill, and proceed with the clauses to-morrow. The Government had no objection to that; but they were, of course, entirely in the hands of the House.

MR. GIBSON

If getting the Speaker out of the Chair is a mere benevolent sham to amuse people, and if it remains that the clauses of the Bill will be taken to-morrow, I do not care in the least what amusement goes on to-night.