§ On the Question that Supply be fixed for Wednesday,
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERHaving observed that there is a general feeling in the House that Supply should be brought to 1843 a close at the end of this week, I would suggest, with a view to facilitating this object, that the Committee should proceed to take non-contentious English Votes for a couple of hours to-morrow evening after half-past 5 o'clock, an arrangement which, I think, may materially help to shorten the Session.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH, Strand, Westminster)I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for the suggestion, which is an exceedingly reasonable one, and I shall to-morrow propose, therefore, with the concurrence of the House, "that the House do sit after half-past 5 on Wednesday for the consideration of Supply." I understand it will not be agreeable to Irish Members to go on after 5 o'clock with the Irish Votes; but it is exceedingly probable that many English Votes may be disposed of during the two hours and a-half before 8 o'clock. As far as possible these will be non-contentious Votes. I therefore wish to give notice that to-morrow at 12 o'clock I shall move the suspension of the half-past 5 o'clock Rule, so far as Supply is concerned.
§ MR. DILLWYN (Swansea, Town)While offering no opposition, I hope the proposal will not be regarded as a precedent in the future, and I protest against the Standing Orders being tampered with upon such short notice.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy)I would ask the First Lord of the Treasury to tell the House what Supply will be taken, so that hon. Members may have some short time to prepare.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI am sure the hon. Member will be quite prepared with a speech on any Vote we may take.
§ MR. COSSHAM (Bristol, W.)Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to take the Technical Education Bill on Saturday?
§ MR. SEXTONI take it that any Irish Vote that may happen to be under discussion at half-past 5 to-morrow will stand over until Thursday.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHThe right hon. Member will see that it will be desirable to conclude the discussion of a Vote which may be before the Committee at half-past 5, otherwise it will be necessary to withdraw the Vote. There should be some little elasticity allowed.
§ MR. SEXTONIf an important Vote should be under discussion at half-past 5, we should prefer to go on with it.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHWe have-every desire to meet the convenience of hon. Members from Ireland, and the business to-morrow can be made a; matter of arrangement.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYI hope that the rule for the termination of business—or what has come to be considered the rule for the termination of business under the present Government—will not be applied at half-past 5 to-morrow.
§ Committee to sit again to-morrow,