HC Deb 03 May 1886 vol 305 cc152-3
MR. SEXTON (Sligo, S.)

requested the Secretary to the Treasury, seeing that most of the Irish Members were absent, to postpone any Irish Votes which might be reached to-night.

THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER) (Wolverhampton, E.)

said, he would be willing to postpone any contentious Irish Votes which might be reached.

SIR ROBERT PEEL (Blackburn)

asked that the Vote relating to Dover Harbour should not be taken to-night, owing to the absence of many hon. Members interested.

MR. HENRY H. FOWLER

observed, that he could scarcely consent to the request of the right hon. Baronet, when there had been a fortnight's Notice that this Vote would be taken. It had always been the custom of his Predecessors to take, if possible, all the Irish Votes together when the Irish Members could attend.

GENERAL SIR GEORGE BALFOUR (Kincardine)

joined in the appeal to postpone the Dover Vote.

MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSH (Inverness-shire)

asked what was to be done with the Crofters Bill, Report on which was the 12th Order to-night?

MR. HENRY H. FOWLER

presumed, as the Lord Advocate was not present, the Bill must be postponed.

SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOT (Sussex, North West)

asked what would be the Business for Thursday?

MR. J. W. BARCLAY (Forfarshire)

suggested that the Crofters Bill should be put down as the first Order on Thursday.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHE-QUER (Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT) (Derby)

said, the Business for Thursday would be either the Crofters Bill or the Railway Rates Bill; but he did not like to speak positively, as the Paime Minister did not return until to-morrow. They could, however, put down both Bills.

SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOT

though the Railway Rates Bill should not be put down if it was not to be taken.

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

Then we will say we will take the Railway Rates Bill.