HC Deb 20 March 1890 vol 342 cc1353-4

Order for Second Reading read.

DR. TANNER

I object.

MR. A. O'CONNOR

Has the Bill been printed and circulated?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE,) Lincolnshire, Horncastle

Yes, I understand it has been printed, and that copies can be obtained at the Vote Office.

MR. A. O'CONNOR

Very often a Bill of this kind contains important Amendments.

MB. STANHOPE

They may be considered in Committee.

* MR. SPEAKER

Objection to taking the Bill after 12 o'clock does not apply, as the Bill is brought in in pursuance of the provisions of a Statute.

MR. CAUSTON (Southwark, W.)

As a matter of order, Sir, can a Bill be read a second time before being printed and circulated?

* MR. SPEAKER

That is not a matter of order; it is a. matter for the House to decide.

MR. SEXTON

If we bring forward a Bill that does not happen to be printed, objection on that ground is considered conclusive; my memory recalls several such instances. If this is binding against a private Member who has not complete command of facilities for printing, surely it ought to be binding against the Government. It would be a culpable breach of duty, I think, to allow the practice without protest; and I would request, Sir, that the Bill should not be read a second time to-night.

* MR. SPEAKER

It is for the House to judge.

MR. SEXTON

If the Government persist, I shall move that it be set down for to-morrow.

MR. E. STANHOPE

It is really a point not worth setting up now. I have the printed Bill in my hand, and copies of it can be had in the Vote Office. But if hon. Members prefer that the Bill should be taken to-morrow let it be so.

Second Reading referred to to-morrow.