HC Deb 07 June 1887 vol 315 cc1230-1
MR. E. ROBERTSON (Dundee)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, What measures, if any, other than the Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill, the Government intends to proceed with this Session; and, what means the Government will adopt to enable the House to consider such measures, as well as the Bills of private Members, for which no opportunity of discussion has hitherto been found?

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

I am not in a position to inform the hon. and learned Gentleman what measures the Government will proceed with other than the Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill during the present Session. The progress which has been made with that Bill is not sufficient to justify me in anticipating the day on which it will pass through this House. Till then I cannot state, or see distinctly, what the course of Public Business is likely to be; and I cannot say what measures, if any, other than the Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill the Government will think it right to press upon the attention of the House. That answer will apply also to the second part of the hon. and learned Member's Question. I shall possibly find it my duty to ask the House to take some measures to promote the greater despatch of Public Business. I hope it may not be necessary to do so; but I am not in a position to do so at this moment.

MR. E. ROBERTSON

What is the nature of these measures, and when is the right hon. Gentleman likely to make his demand?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I am not in a position to do so, Sir.

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, & c,)

How does the Government propose to fulfil its pledge, given early in the Session, that this House would not part with the Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill till it was in possession of the Irish Land Law Bill, which seems to have fallen asleep, or dropped out of existence, in "another place?"

MR. W. H. SMITH

By the honourable fulfilment of the engagements made by the Government in this House.

In answer to Mr. BURT (Morpeth),

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, the Government were most anxious to provide facilities for the discussion of the Coal Mines, & c. Regulation Bill; and if it were agreeable to hon. Gentlemen interested in the measure, the Government would endeavour that it should be reached at half-past 11 or 12 o'clock on Thursday night. He was not at present in a position to give an evening for the discussion of the question.