HC Deb 02 May 1887 vol 314 cc675-6

(Sir Herbert Maxwell, Sir Henry Holland, Mr. Jackson.)

[BILL 158.] COMMITTEE.

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)

I want to say, Sir, that it appears to me that, at this early hour of the morning, the Committee should not proceed with this measure. Certainly, there are a great number of Amendments down for consideration; but, really, I think that the Movers are not prepared at such an hour to go into them. I trust that the Government will believe that I am only right in asking that they should be considered some other day—that, in fact, the whole discussion on this Bill should be postponed until some more fitting occasion and opportunity. I hope that Ministers in charge of the measure will see their way to accede to my request, and allow it to be taken at some future period at a more convenient hour than half-past 1 in the morning, after the stress of a severe and straining debate. If hon. Gentlemen opposite are unable to fall in with my views on the matter, I must tell them that it will be my very painful duty to move to report Progress.

SIR HERBERT MAXWELL (A LORD of the TREASURY) (Wigton)

I hope that the hon. Gentleman (Dr. Tanner) will allow this Bill to be proceeded with, for I think that the Amendment standing in his name is hardly very serious—in fact, the measure might well be advanced until some serious Amendment is reached. So far as I am able to understand, there are none of the Amendments marked on the Paper which are amendments of vital importance. It seems to me that all the Amendments are merely suggestions of improvements on the phraseology of the Bill; and I would put it to the hon. Member that, in these circumstances, we might very well go on with the measure.

DR. TANNER

I am afraid I am unable to agree with the hon. Gentle- man's (Sir Herbert Maxwell's) view of the matter; but I will meet him thus far—that is, if the hon. Gentleman is willing to come to a compromise—that if he so desires, I will be content to go, on as far as the end of Clause 2 of the measure. However, I want him clearly to understand that I certainly cannot proceed any further than that.

Clauses 1 and 2 severally agreed to.

Clause 3 (Provision as to pensions under 28 & 29 Viet. c. 113, and 35 & 36 Viet. c. 29).

MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

As to this measure, Sir, I want to say that I think the Government have no right—not a bit—to make the entire of these pensions a charge on the Consolidated Fund, if that, as I understand it, is what they propose to do.

SIR HERBERT MAXWELL

I am afraid that the hon. and learned Gentleman (Mr. T. M. Healy) does not quite understand what is proposed to be done. The whole charge will not be laid on the Consolidated Fund. It is provided in the clause that the pensions for Colonial service shall be paid out of Colonial funds, and the Imperial out of Imperial funds.

Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow.