§ [ADJOURNED DEBATE.]
§ Order read, for resuming Adjourned Debate on Amendment on Second Reading [25th February],
§
And which Amendment was,
To add to the word "That," in the Original Question, the words "whilst this House is prepared to take such steps as may be needful to strengthen its own Committees sitting on Private Bills, or by arrangement with the other House of Parliament, to refer opposed Private Bills to Committees consisting of Members of both Houses of Parliament, and thus obviate the present cost to promoters and opponents of having to appear before Committees of both Houses of Parliament, it is unwilling to delegate its legislative functions to paid Judges or tribunals."—(Sir Joseph Pease.)
§ Question again proposed, "That those words be there added."
§ SIR JOSEPH PEASEappealed to the House to allow the debate to be resumed. It was stopped yesterday by the hour arriving beyond which opposed Business could not be taken.
§ MR. SEXTONI beg to second that.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Debate be now adjourned."—[Mr. Healy.)
§ SIR JOSEPH PEASEI may point out that a large majority of the House yesterday were in favour of this Resolution, and that many hon. Members have asked me to move this Amendment. It is not a matter of such great importance as to induce me to press it upon the House; but in good faith towards those who supported me I feel bound to do so.
§ MR. SEXTONWhen the Irish Members desire to proceed with Business at an early hour, they do not find English Members so anxious to assist them.
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINI understand there was an agreement with the Chancellor of the Exchequer that, if this Motion were pressed, words should be inserted in the Amendment. The Amendment reads—
To leave out from the word 'That,' to the end of the Question, in order to add the words 'whilst this House is prepared to take such steps as may be needful to strengthen its own 1521 Committees sitting on Private Bills, or by arrangement with the other House of Parliament, to refer opposed Private Bills to Committees consisting of Members of both Houses of Parliament, and thus obviate the present cost to promoters and opponents of having to appear before Committees of both Houses of Parliament, it is unwilling to delegate its legislative functions to paid Judges or tribunals.'It was understood by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that if the Motion were pressed after the word "unwilling," the words "without inquiry and consideration" should be inserted. If these words are inserted, it really leaves the Resolution of no considerable importance—in no way pledging the House. Under the circumstances, therefore, I think the consideration of the Amendment might very well be deferred.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Debate further adjourned till To-morrow.