HC Deb 20 July 1887 vol 317 c1570

In reply to Mr. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.),

THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)

said, it was proposed that the Civil Service Estimates should be taken on Friday at 2 o'clock.

MR. JOHN MORLEY (Newcastle-on-Tyne)

asked whether it was intended to-morrow not to proceed with the Irish. Laud Bill beyond the Motion that the Speaker leave the Chair; or, whether they would actually go on with Committee? He also wished to know what Business would be taken on Friday?

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

said, the Government had come to the conclusion that it would not be for the convenience of the House probably that they should go beyond the Motion to get the Speaker out of the Chair to-morrow evening; but the right hon. Gentleman would, he thought, himself see that it was absolutely necessary that they should arrive at that, and ask the House to go into Committee on the Bill. As soon as that was done, the Government proposed to report Progress and proceed with the Bill de die in diem from Monday next. They proposed to continue with Supply on Friday at 2 o'clock. He hoped some progresss would be made then and also on Friday night, if they could keep a House.

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)

asked, what course the Government intended to take with regard to the Bill? Would a Ministerial statement be made to-morrow upon the Motion for going into Committee?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I think the question of the hon. Member a little unreasonable. It is not usual for the Government to anticipate the course they will take with regard to a Bill on the Motion that the Speaker do leave the Chair; but I may inform the hon. Member that we shall exercise our discretion as to the course we think it right to take when the Speaker is out of the Chair.

House adjourned at five Minutes before Six o'clock.