§ MR. MASON (Lanark, Mid)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in view of the terrible disaster at Udston Colliery, and the still more recent accident at Motherwell, he will so arrange the Business of the House as to allow the Coal Mines, &c. Regulation Bill to be proceeded with not later than 10 o'clock this evening?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster),in reply, said, he fully entered into the desire of the hon. Member and other hon. Members who took an interest in this very important matter; but he was not able 1438 to say more than he said on Tuesday, that if a discussion could be taken after half-past 11 or 12 to-night, he would be very glad if that could be done; but to report Progress on the Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill at 10 o'clock would be impossible.
§ An hon. MEMBER hoped the Government would not consent to take the Bill at so late an hour.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHsaid, he was entirely in the hands of hon. Members who took an interest in the question. The Government desired that the Bill should be proceeded with, subject to the understanding that hon. Gentlemen who took an interest in the matter should have an opportunity for such discussion as was thought necessary.
§ MR. MASONsaid, that he was anxious the Bill could be taken to-night at any hour, arid he hoped the right hon. Gentleman would assure them this would be the case, so that Members interested in the Bill might remain in their places.
§ MR. BURT (Morpeth)hoped that unless the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury could see his way to afford an opportunity for a reasonable discussion, he would state the Bill would not go on at all.