ADJOURNMENT. (Hansard, 3 July 1888)

§ MR. EDWARD HARRINGTON (Kerry, W.)
said, he took the opportunity to put a question in reference to the Piers and Harbours Provisional Order (No. 2) Bill, which was set down for the next Sitting. It appeared to be a highly contentious measure, and its discussion seemed likely to occupy half the Sitting on a day usually devoted to Bills introduced by private Members. By an odd combination the Bill included matters relating to Torquay and Tralee. Would the Secretary to the Treasury use his influence to induce the Government to postpone the Bill to some Evening Sitting, when there was usually a fuller attendance of Members, and when the discussion could be commenced within the interval usually unoccupied if not taken up with Private Bills? There had been 15 such half-hour intervals since he last mentioned the matter; but still the Bill was set down for Wednesday after Wednesday when there was no time set apart for Private Bills. He had nothing to do with the difficulties that had arisen in regard to Salvation Army proceedings at Torquay; but there was a point in relation to the Tralee portion of the Bill upon which he wished to invite an expression of opinion.

§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)
said, he was afraid the hon. and learned Member had not held out any strong inducement to him to postpone the Bill to a Government day. The hon. and learned Member wished to have a larger attendance of Members, which meant that the Bill would then probably occupy more time in discussion. The Bill had been postponed at the request of an hon. Member opposite who desired further time for consideration, and, meantime, he had communicated with his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, with the result that it was agreed a clause should be inserted in the Tralee portion of the Bill which would meet the objection of the hon. Member. As to the other portion of the Bill, his right hon. Friend was not without hope that some arrangement would be come to which would tend to shorten discussion. In the absence of his right hon. Friend 316 he would not be justified in saying more; but he hoped he had said enough to show that the Government had done their best to save the time of the House, and bring both matters to an amicable conclusion. The Bill would be taken to-morrow, but he hoped would not require a lengthened discussion.

§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)
said, it was at his request the Bill was postponed, he being interested in the Torquay portion of the Bill. From what he understood, the expectation that there would not be a long debate was, justified.

§ MR. MAURICE HEALY
said, it was very unfair, when private Members had so little of the time of the House at their disposal, that the Government should encroach upon the Wednesday Sittings with what was very much in the nature of a Private Bill.