§ On Motion of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bill to make better provision for the recovery of Tithe Rent-Charge in England and Wales, ordered to be brought in by Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Chaplin, and Mr. Raikes.
§ Bill presented, and read first time. [Bill 110.]
§ (4.7) MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)I would point out that the notice referring to this Bill was given subsequently to the notice of the Bills of the Chief Secretary for Ireland, as to Irish Land Purchase, and I wish to ask whether the change in the order of priority is to be continuous, whether it is the result of and consultation since Tuesday last, any whether the change is to be taken as having any political significance?
§ (4.8) THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH, Bristol, W.)The hon. Gentleman attaches entirely undue importance to this matter. The Tithe Rent-Charge Bill stood between several Bills of my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary, and the Government thought it better to get this subject, on which they do not anticipate discussion, out of the way before the Irish Bills are introduced.
§ (4.9) MR. H. GARDNER (Essex, Saffron Walden)As this subject is of interest to my constituents, I desire to put on record my regret that the President of the Board of Trade has not thought fit to make some statement in asking leave to bring in this measure on the present occasion. We have had various measures dealing with tithe rent-charge from the present Government—many of them of so diverse a character that the average intellect has found it difficult to make out what the Government really mean to do. I would warn the Government that if this Bill is not considered satisfactory on this side of the House it will meet with no less opposition than previous Bills on the same subject. I think we should have an assurance that the Bill will be at once printed and circulated amongst Members.
§ (4.1) SIR M. HICKS BEACHIt will be printed and circulated tomorrow morning.
§ MR. OSBORNE MORGAN (Denbighshire, E.)I hope the right hon. Gentleman 137 will allow some time to elapse before the Second Reading.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI will fix the date for the Second Reading when the Bill has been introduced.
§ (4.12.) MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)My hon. Friend (Mr. Sexton) asked if the precedence given to this Bill is to be continuous. We understood that precedence was to be given to the Irish Land Bills.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI understand that the precedence is to be continuous.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYThen it is altogether contrary to the statement of the First Lord of the Treasury the other evening.