HC Deb 07 May 1888 vol 325 cc1486-7
MR. JOHN MORLEY (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury will be able to inform the House what Business will be taken on Friday, and what arrangements he contemplates with regard to the Whitsuntide holidays?

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

I have already informed the House that any arrangements with regard to the Whitsuntide holidays must depend upon the passing of the Local Government (Electors) Bill before the Recess, as the Register must be got into order before the 20th of June. But in the event of the Bill passing before the Whitsuntide Recess, and other measures being advanced, we propose that the House should rise on Friday, the 18th, after a Morning Sitting, and return on Thursday, the 31st of May. I hope the labours of the Committee on the Local Government (Electors) Bill will be completed. this evening; but in case any accident should prevent it, I should ask the House to sit to-morrow at 2 o'clock to proceed with the Bill in Committee. I think it right to give this intimation to the House, though the contingency to which I refer is most improbable. On Thursday we propose to take the Railway and Canal Traffic Bill for second reading.

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

asked whether, in case there should be a Morning Sitting to proceed with the Committee on the Local Government (Electors) Bill to-morrow, the right hon. Gentleman would give a pledge that he would take no other Government Business at the Morning Sitting?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I can give no such pledge. If other Business should be put down, it would be our duty to proceed with it.

In reply to Sir CHARLES RUSSELL (Hackney, S.),

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, he did not intend to proceed with the Attorney General's Resolution on the subject of the High Court of Justice Chancery Division (Additional Judge) to-night, after half-past 10.

In reply to Mr. CAUSTON (Southwark, W.),

MR. W. H. SMITH

declined to give any pledge that the Bill dealing with the Wheel and Van Tax should not be taken before the Whitsuntide Recess.