§ Order for Third Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read the third time."
§ MR. MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)It is not my intention to trespass at any length on the time of the House in reference to this matter, and I think the First Lord of the Treasury will bear witness that I and those hon. Members who are acting with me abstained from all discussion of this measure on the Report stage. I then asked the First Lord if he could fix a day for the consideration of the Bill, when, so far as I was concerned, the discussion would be slight. He did not do me the honour of acceding to that request, and now on a Government day, when important matters in reference to a Vote for the country are coming on, he puts this Bill first on the list. It is neither fair to the right hon. Gentleman's supporters, nor to the other Members of this House, to place a measure which must be subject to slight discussion before a Vote of that kind, and to which we are looking forward with great interest. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman would facilitate matters if he postpones this Bill until to-morrow. I do not know whether the right hon. Gentleman will accede to my request, and so I will reserve my right to address the House.
§ MR. SEYMOUR KEAY (Elgin and Nairn)If the right hon. Gentleman agrees, I should be pleased not to interpose with my important Amendment, which is on the paper. Therefore, I appeal to the First Lord to consent to the adjournment.
§ MR. MACNEILLOn a point of Order, I reserve my right to address the House.
§ MR. SPEAKERBoth hon. Gentlemen having spoken, they therefore cannot, according to the Rules, speak again. The Question is, "That the Bill be now read the third time."
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read the third time, and passed.