HC Deb 24 June 1889 vol 337 c552
MR. FRANCIS STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury what are the intentions of the Government with respect to the District Councils Bill?

* THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand

The Government were anxious to introduce this Bill this Session; but they recognized that the first claim on the House was the Scotch Local Government Bill. They hoped it might have been possible to consider both Bills this Session; but the state of public business is such as to compel them reluctantly to abandon the hope of being able to ask the House to consider the District Councils Bill this year.

MR. F. STEVENSON

Are we to understand that the pledge which was given last year with respect to the District Councils Bill being introduced this Session will stand good for next Session?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

The Government are anxious to pass this measure, but they cannot give an engagement for next Session.