§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That this House do sit to-morrow, and that as soon as Government Business is disposed of Mr Speaker do adjourn the House without putting any Question."—(Mr. William Henry Smith.)
§ MR. T. M. HEALYThis Motion is entirely objectionable. Such a thing as "Government business" is unknown to the Constitution. The right hon. Gentleman has given a guarantee that after the particular business is ended he would himself move the adjournment of the House. It is a most revolutionary thing to propose that the Speaker should of his own cognisance decide what is public-business; and it is getting the House into a state in which it ought not to be placed. I move the omission of all the words after "to-morrow."
§ Amendment proposed, to leave out all the words after the word "To-morrow" to the end of the Question.—(Mr. T. M. Healy.)
§ Question proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question."
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI think the hon. and learned Member is slightly mistaken in supposing that the terms of the Motion are at all unusual. I have often been asked to undertake to move the adjournment of the House after Government business is disposed of. But I think it is a little difficult to carry out an engagement of that kind, because Gentlemen may wish to press forward particular Bills. If the hon. and learned Gentleman wishes that the form should run in the words which he has indicated, I do not wish to prevent Bills being discussed if it is the pleasure of the House to discuss them. But I believe when Saturdays have been taken in previous Sessions there has been a great desire expressed on all sides that the sitting should be dedicated to the consideration of Government and pressing business only and nothing else. If the hon. Member wishes to press his Amendment I have no objection, but I do not think it is the feeling of the House that he should do so.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYI will press it if there is no objection.
§ Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
§ Main Question put, and agreed to.
§ Ordered, That this House do sit tomorrow, and that as soon as Government business is disposed of, Mr. Speaker do adjourn the House without putting any Question.