HC Deb 24 March 1890 vol 342 cc1799-800

Considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 7.

DR. TANNER

I beg now to move to report Progress.

*(12.23.) MR. RITCHIE

I think the hon. Member is rather inconsistent in his action. He has allowed us to get into Committee.

DR. TANNER

I promised to oppose the Bill on behalf of an hon. Member who is now absent, and I therefore feel bound to press my objection.

*(12.24.) MR. RITCHIE

If the hon. Member's objection is to any particular Amendment the matter can be raised on Report. I hope the hon. Member will act consistently and allow us to proceed.

DR. TANNER

I am not a Member of Her Majesty's Government, and accordingly when I make a promise L must stand by it.

MR. H. W. LAWSON (St. Pancras, W)

May I remind the hon. Member for Mid Cork that the hon. Member in charge of this Bill has shown the utmost readiness to accept Amendments which we have thought it necessary to propose.

(12.25.) DR. TANNER

If I were at liberty to do so I would withdraw my objection; but having given a promise I am bound to keep it.

* MR. E. S. POWELL (Wigan)

It comes to this then, that hon. Members can by proxy oppose progress being made with a Bill. Even the House of Lords has abandoned this mode of procedure.

(12.26.) MR. SEXTON

I appeal to my hon. Friend to withdraw his objection to this useful Bill, which is necessary for Ireland as well as England, and the more rapidly it is passed the better. I think it highly embarrassing that my hon. Friend should have laid himself under an obligation to an English Member to oppose the Bill, when that hon. Member does not think it necessary himself to attend.

DR. TANNER

I always hold that such business as this should be transacted before 12 o'clock. I therefore continue to object.

Committee report Progress; to sit again to-morrow.