HC Deb 26 November 1888 vol 331 cc222-3

Ordered, That a Select Committee be appointed to consider the attempted service (together with the attendant circumstances) of a Summons upon Mr. Sheehy, Member for South Galway, made in the Outer Lobby of the House;—(Mr. William Henry Smith:)—

MR. Secretary Matthews, Mr. Childers, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. John Morley, Mr. Solicitor General, Sir Charles Russell, Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Mr. Parnell, Sir Matthew Ridley, Mr. T. M. Healy, and Mr. Hanbury nominated Members of the Committee, with power to send for persons, papers, and records.

Ordered, That five be the quorum; to withdraw immediately.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House will immediately resolve itself into the Committee upon the Land Purchase (Ireland) Bill."—(Mr. W. E. Smith.)

MR. SEXTON

entered a protest against this proceeding. They felt aggrieved—

MR. W. H. SMITH

hoped there would be no opposition.

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

Surely the right hon. Gentleman will not go on with the Bill when he has just appointed on the Committee persons who are particularly interested in the consideration of this question. I do not think we can go on with the discussion in their absence.

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, he thought the right hon. Gentleman entirely misapprehended the spirit in which the Government were acting. It was of the most vital importance, at this period of the Session, that there should be no unreasonable delay. He could not believe, himself, that there was any desire on the Irish Benches to defeat the Bill.

MR. BRADLAUGH

said, he desired to point out that the hon. Member who moved the Amendment and the hon. Gentleman the Solicitor General for Ireland, besides other hon. Members, were on the Committee. If they proceeded in their absence they would be in a ridiculous position.

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, this only showed how rash it was to adopt the suggestion as to the Committee meeting to-night. He doubted whether it would be possible for the Committee just appointed to make much progress that evening. In all probability the Committee would confine their labours to appointing a Chairman, arranging the course of proceedings, and adjourning until to-morrow. To ask that they should not resume the Purchase Bill was unreasonable.

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE (Bradford, Central)

wished to point out that the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Mr. John Morley) had an Amendment next on the Paper, and he, therefore, suggested that Supply should be taken.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)

, as a point of Order, asked whether they could resume the Bill, having reported Progress?

MR. SPEAKER

Certainly. It would be my duty to put the Motion that the House do resolve itself into Committee.

MR. DILLON

said, he thought it would be for the convenience of all parties if the House would now adjourn for an hour, instead of the usual half hour.

MR. T. M. HEALY

said, he thought it would meet the difficulty if it were suggested to the distinguished Chairman of Committees that he should take a little longer for his tea.

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, he thought the suggestion of the hon. and learned Member for North Longford an exceedingly valuable one. He, therefore, suggested that the House should adjourn for an hour, to half-past 9. [Cries of "Say 10."] Very well; 10.

The House suspended its Sitting at half-past Eight of the clock.

The House resumed its Sitting at Ten of the clock.

Resolved, That this House will immediately resolve itself into the Committee upon the Land Purchase (Ireland) Bill.—(Mr. W. H. Smith.)