§ Order for Consideration read.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Sir JOHN GORST,) ChathamIf the hon. Member opposite (Sir G. Campbell), who has an Amendment down, objects, I will not go on with this Bill to-night.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELLSeveral Members on the opposite side of the House have Amendments on the Paper.
§ SIR J. GORSTThey have withdrawn them. The Bill has only one clause.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELLYes; but I do not want it.
§ SIR J. GORSTI think we should go on with the Bill.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELLI will only again repeat my objection to the Bill. I do not think there is any real necessity for it, its object being to reduce the number of the Council of India, and alter the constitution of that Council.
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member cannot deal with the general question now.
§ Notice taken, that 40 Members were not present; House counted, and 40 Members being found present,
459§ SIR G. CAMPBELLIf I am to understand that Gentlemen who have Amendments down have withdrawn those Amendments, and that it is with their consent that the Bill is now proceeded with, I will not attempt to delay its progress.
§ Bill considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ Clause 1.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELLI do not know whether the Amendment on the Paper standing in the name of the hon. Member for North Kensington (Sir R. Lethbridge) will receive greater favour from the Government than that which I have placed on the Paper. I think it should not be left to the Secretary of State to reduce the number of the Council. I beg to move the Amendment standing in the name of the hon. Member for North Kensington.
§ Amendment proposed, Clause 1, page 1, line 5, leave out from "may" to "fit" inclusive, and insert "shall on the occasion of every alternate vacancy in the Council of India."—(Sir G. Campbell.)
§ Question proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Bill."
§ SIR JOHN GORSTThis would, if agreed to, compel the Secretary of State to make an appointment on the occurrence of a vacancy. The Bill leaves him a discretionary power, which, I think, is preferable.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELLI beg to propose, in line 7, to leave out "ten" and insert "twelve." We have been told that the question has often been discussed whether the Council should consist of 7 or 10 or 12, or 15 or 24, but the wisdom of Parliament in 1858, after a long discussion, settled the number at 15. I cannot see why it should now be reduced to 12.
§ Amendment proposed, Clause 1, page 2, line 7, to leave out "ten" and insert "twelve."
§ Question proposed, "That the word 'ten' stand part of the Question."
§ SIR J. GORSTThe reason why 10 was selected was that the Council was in favour of reducing the number to 10. If 10 is sufficient for the Council we have no right to impose on the Revenues of India any additional salaries.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELLI beg to propose the new clauses I have placed on the Paper. I shall not press them, but I wish to have the proposal put on record.
§ Bill reported, without Amendment.
§ SIR J. GORSTI beg to move that the Bill be read a third time.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be read a third time."—(Sir J. Gorst.)
§ SIR G. CAMPBELLI have allowed the Bill to go through, because the Government have the power to force it through; but I enter my protest against it.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read the third time, and passed.