ADJOURNMENT. (Hansard, 30 November 1888)

§ MR. SEXTON
asked, at what hour would the House meet to-morrow (Saturday)?

§ MR. JACKSON
said, the Sitting would be subject to the Wednesday Rule.

§ MR. CONYBEARE
said, he desired to refer to a question he had endeavoured to raise in Committee just now. During the evening, while Vote 1, Class VI., was under discussion, he rose for the purpose of asking a question in relation to the largest Vote the Committee had passed, and the First Lord of the Treasury promptly closured the debate. He had now to ask whether the Government would do as they had done in respect to smaller items, postpone the Report of the Vote until such a time as would allow Irish Members and others to ask questions in relation to the large sum in the Vote, and to discuss it as they had a right to do? He did not say they desired a lengthened debate; but it was a most improper proceeding, when a large sum of money was being voted, that Members should be absolutely precluded from making inquiries as to the money they were asked to vote, and to discuss the expenditure if disposed to do so. It was all the more important, because Irish expenditure was included in the Vote, and, therefore, according to the understanding, the Vote should not have been taken until next week. He protested, in the strongest manner, against the abominable manner in which an important debate had been closured, and he should oppose the Vote until he had full information in regard to it.

§ MR. GOSCHEN
said, of course the hon. Member could make his protest, but he must bear in mind that if there was a necessity for the application of the closure, no Member was more responsible for that than the hon. Member himself.

§ MR. CONYBEARE
, who was met with cries of "Order!" said, he had a right to repudiate the charge of Obstruction made against him. ["Oh, oh!"] He challenged anyone to say whether he had in any single instance done anything that by any interpretation could be called Obstruction? ["Oh, oh!"]

§ MR. SPEAKER
This discussion is somewhat irregular. It refers to circumstances that took place in Committee, and the application of the Rule of Closure there, of which the House is not cognizant.

§ MR. T. M. HEALY
asked, would the Report of the first Vote in Class VI. be taken first in to-morrow's Business?

§ MR. JACKSON
said, it would be taken at the next Sitting, but not as the First Order.

§ MR. CONYBEARE
said, he should oppose it.

§ MR. T. M. HEALY
asked the hon. Gentleman to say after what hour the Report of this particular Vote would not be taken?

§ MR. JACKSON
said, it would come on in the usual course, but it was impossible to fix a time, for it was impossible to say when the Committee of Supply would finish its proceedings.

§ DR. CLARK
asked, would it be competent to take Report of Supply after half-past 5?

§ MR. SPEAKER
said, that would be so according to Standing Orders.

§ MR. CONYBEARE
asked, then what opportunity would there be to discuss the Vote?