HC Deb 27 November 1888 vol 331 cc456-8

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."—[Mr. Jackson.)

MR. BYRON REED (Bradford, E.)

said, before this Question was put he should like to ask what were the intentions of the Government in regard to the Irish Land Purchase Bill, the first Order standing on the Paper for the day, and which had been very fully discussed in Committee.

Notice taken, that 40 Members were not present; House counted, and 40 Members being found present,

MR. BYRON REED

said, many hon. Members were interested in the speedy passage of the Bill he had mentioned, in order to proceed with other Business interesting to English Members, Business that had been long delayed by the factious obstruction of hon. Members opposite. [Cries of "Order!"]

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must not make use of the phrase "factious obstruction."

MR. BYRON REED

said, he apologized for using an un-Parliamentary term. He would say opposition prolonged beyond all precedent and propriety.

MR. T. M. HEALY

rose to Order. Was the hon. Gentleman in Order in discussing a debate which had just taken place in the House?

MR. SPEAKER

I understand it is the hon. Gentleman's intention to ask the intention of the Government in regard to the Bill.

MR. BYRON REED

said, he desired to know what was the Government intention as to the future progress of the Bill, seeing that night after night hon. Members had been brought down to assist the Government in passing the Bill through.

MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

said, the hon. Member did not seem to be aware that a few minutes before the Speaker took the Chair the future course of the Bill was discussed and arranged between three Cabinet Ministers and Members from Ireland. He would advise the hon. Member not to attempt, on his own initiative, to revise the arrangement arrived at.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)

asked, when the third reading was to be taken?

THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)

said, it was hoped the third reading would be taken this day.

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

said, in his experience there had been nothing more ungenerous than when they had, at the request of the Government, agreed to postpone Amendments in order that the Committee might close, they should be treated to a speech like that of the hon. Member (Mr. Byron Reed).

MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)

said, he hoped it would be understood that the hon. Member was only speaking for himself.

MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)

said, he protested against the outburst of the hon. Member, after what had passed. In the arrangement arrived at, nothing at all was said about taking the third reading of the Bill on Wednesday.

MR. SEXTON

said, he appealed to the Speaker. Was it in Order to discuss when the third reading should be taken, when the Report stage had not yet been reached?

MR. SPEAKER

said, such a course would be irregular.

Question put, and agreed to.

House adjourned at a quarter before Three o'clock.