HC Deb 21 July 1887 vol 317 cc1740-1

Order for Second Reading read.

MR. LLEWELLYN (Somerset, N)

I beg to move the second reading of this Bill. It is not necessary for me, in making the Motion, to detain the House for more than one moment—

MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

I wish, Mr. Speaker, to call your attention to the circumstances connected with this Bill. Although the measure, as it appears on the Paper, is not blocked, I wish to ask you, under circumstances to which I would briefly draw attention, whether it ought not to appear with a block? The Bill was down for second reading on 22nd June—it was on the Orders of the Day for that day. There is no entry on the votes respecting it on that day; and in the weekly statement we have furnished to us it appears on the 27nd of June as "dropped," and also on the 4th of July, the 11th of July, and the 18th of July. On the Orders of the Day of yesterday there was no Notice of the Bill; but on the Votes of yesterday there was an entry to the effect that the second reading was fixed for to-day. I would ask you, Sir, whether the block which was on the Bill when it was dropped does not apply to to-day? I would ask you, Sir, if that is not so, whether it is not an abuse of the Forms of the House for a Member to re-establish a Bill on a Wednesday and then to bring it on the very next day, within the 24 hours? If that were legitimate every Bill might be so brought on as to evade a block. There would be no opportunity of blocking any Bill.

Mr. SPEAKER

It is obvious that if a Bill which has been on the Paper for some time, and is blocked, is suddenly revived great hardships would be caused by preventing the power of blocking it. If my memory serves me aright, I think I have already ruled that a block ought to adhere to a Bill, under such circumstances as those referred to, until the measure appears reinstated upon the Paper in the usual way and there has been an opportunity for the original block to expire. I think the block ought to operate to-night. Perhaps the hon. Member will name another day.

MR. LLEWELLYN

Tomorrow.

MR. J. E. ELLIS

The block will still remain, Sir?

MR. SPEAKER

Yes; until the original period expires.

Second Reading deferred till To-morrow, at Two of the clock.

House adjourned at half after One o'clock