HC Deb 12 August 1887 vol 319 cc263-4
MR. PARNELL (Cork)

I wish to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in view of the numerous—and some of them grave and one of them vital — Amendments which the House of Lords have made in the Irish Land Bill since he gave Notice of his intention to proceed with the consideration of the Lords' Amendments to-day, and considering also the fact that this House has had no Notice in regard to those Amendments, the right hon. Gentleman still intends to proceed with their consideration at this Sitting, or whether he will not postpone the matter until Monday, so as to give hon. Members an opportunity of seeing the Lords' Amendments?

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

I endeavoured to ascertain the views of hon. Gentlemen with reference to proceeding with the consideration of the Lords' Amendments this evening.

MR. PARNELL

Before we knew what they were.

MR. W. H. SMITH

It was impossible for me or anyone to know what they would be. And having done so, I think the House will feel that it would be more convenient to consider the Amendments this evening, and also that serious results might occur from delaying the Bill. I apprehend that, ample Notice having been given that arrangements would be made for considering these Amendments to-day, it would be quite within the competence of hon. Gentlemen to give them all the consideration that they require this evening. I have no wish to press unduly upon the House, or upon hon. Gentlemen below the Gangway; but the Government feel that they would be incurring a great responsibility if they delayed the passing of this Bill.

MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, (Camborne)

, with reference to the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, asked, whether he was aware of the fact that the House of Lords proposed to adjourn that day for a fortnight's holiday; and how, if that were so, the adjournment of the consideration of the Amendments to the Irish Land Law Bill could place the Bill in jeopardy?

MR. W. H. SMITH

The hon. Gentleman has better information as to the intention of the House of Lords than I possess.

MR. CONYBEARE

It is so.