HC Deb 04 December 1893 vol 19 c460

COMMITTEE.

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 1.

SIR M. HICKS-BEACH

said, he believed this to be a very good Bill, and one which it was advisable to pass; but it was necessary to call attention to the fact that it was a Bill brought in by a private Member and adopted by the Government and placed in a position to enable it to go forward, without, so far as he was aware, any public notice to the House. There were many private Members' Bills on the Paper, and he did not think it was fair to the House that a Bill should be adopted by the Government in this part of the Session without previous notice, and he hoped that some assurance would be given that the same course would not be followed in the case of other Bills. He moved to report Progress.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."—(Sir M. Hicks-Beach.)

MR. MARJORIBANKS

said, that the Leader of the Opposition had been informed that this Bill would be proceeded with, as meeting with general assent, and he had agreed to the proposal.

SIR M. HICKS-BEACH

said, he thought some public notice should have been given of the course it was intended to take. He had no objection to offer on this occasion, but he did not think this ought to be repeated. There were several Bills on the Paper that he should resist most strongly if treated in a similar way.

MR. MARJORIBANKS

said, that a reservation was made in the Prime Minister's statement as to Bills which might have the general assent of the House. The Leader of the Opposition had been informed that this was the Bill on account of which that reservation was made, and he agreed to its being taken. No other private Member's Bill would be treated in this manner.

SIR F. S. POWELL

said, he hoped the right hon. Baronet would withdraw his Opposition.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Bill reported, with Amendments; as amended, to be considered To-morrow, and to be printed. [Bill 472.]

House adjourned at a quarter after Twelve o'clock.