HC Deb 17 May 1888 vol 326 cc673-6
THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

said, it had been represented to him that it would be for the general convenience of the House if he now moved that the House, at the Sitting to be held To-morrow at two o'clock, should adjourn until Thursday, the 31st of May. He would, therefore, make that Motion.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House, on rising To-morrow, do adjourn until Thursday the 31st of May."—(Mr. W. H. Smith.)

MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)

I object, Sir.

MR. BIGGAR (Cavan, W.)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, whether, if his hon. Friend the Member for the Camborne Division (Mr. Conybeare) withdrew his opposition and the Motion were agreed to, any Business would be taken at the Morning Sitting in addition to the Employers' Liability Bill?

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, he had no hesitation whatever in giving an assurance that no other Business would be put down on the Paper or taken at the Morning Sitting, as far as the Government were concerned.

MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)

Not even Report of Supply?

MR. W. H. SMITH

No.

MR. JOHN MORLEY (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)

I hope my hon. Friend will withdraw his opposition.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)

asked, what reason the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. W. H. Smith) had for making the Motion now? It would be quite as safe to do it to-morrow.

MR. CONYBEARE

said, he had two reasons for pressing his objection to the Motion. In the first place, he believed that it was most unusual to make such a proposition on the day before that on which the House was to rise for the Holidays; and, in the second place, it was clearly the intention of the Government to burk all discussion on the Motion. Several hon. Members had matters of importance to bring before the House upon the Motion for adjournment, and he should, therefore, certainly press his objection.

MR. EDWARD HARRINGTON (Kerry, W.)

said, he understood that if the hon. Member did press his objection the matter could not be discussed, but he (Mr. Harrington) thought he might venture to represent to the hon. Member that it had been generally understood, if not in a direct, at all events in an indirect way, that the House would finish its work that evening, and that if by any chance a Morning Sitting had to be taken on Friday, it would be only in reference to the unfinished debate on the Employers' Liability Bill. The right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury (Mr. W. H. Smith) had just stated, in the most distinct way, that no Business of any kind, beyond the Employers' Liability Bill, was to be taken at the Morning Sitting.

MR. BUCHANAN (Edinburgh, W.)

Mr. Deputy Speaker, I rise to Order. I wish to ask you whether, a Motion having been made after 12 o'clock, and objection having been taken, it is possible to have any further discussion.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER

Not if the hon. Member persists in his objection. Occasionally hon. Members waive their objections.

MR. EDWARD HARRINGTON

On the point of Order I wish to ask——

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER

There is no doubt that if the objection is pressed, the debate cannot be proceeded with.

MR. JOHN MORLEY

I would point out to my hon. Friend (Mr. Conybeare), that if he wishes to discuss anything, he can do so on the Motion for Adjournment to-morrow.

MR. CREMER (Shoreditch, Haggerstone)

May I ask why the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. W. H. Smith) has made the Motion to-day instead of to-morrow?

MR. W. H. SMITH

It was represented to me by hon. Members on both sides of the House that it would be for the convenience of the House that I should make the Motion now. As far as I am concerned, I have no other object whatever in making the proposal. I must come down to the Morning Sitting, and so must my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary (Mr. Matthews) to take part in the debate on the Employers' Liability Bill. It has been suggested to me that if the Motion is taken at the Morning Sitting instead of now, it must be put down first, and, therefore, must delay the debate on the Employers' Liability Bill. Of course, it is quite within the right of the hon. Member (Mr. Conybeare) to object.

MR. CREMER

Under the circumstances, and after the satisfactory explanation just given by the First Lord of the Treasury, I hope my hon. Friend will withdraw his objection.

MR. EDWARD HARRINGTON

On the question of Order, I have to ask you, Sir, this question. It having been represented to us that, if this objection is pressed, the question that must necessarily come on first will be the Question of Adjournment, and it having been decided by the House a few moments ago, that the first question otherwise to be taken should be the second reading of the Employers' Liability Act, I wish——

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

Is that really a point of Order, Sir?

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER

Does the hon. Member for the Camborne Division (Mr. Conybeare) press his objection?

MR. CONYBEARE

Yes, Sir; I object.

Question not put.