HC Deb 16 June 1893 vol 13 cc1274-6

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Question again proposed, "That Clause 1 stand part of the Bill."

MR. BROMLEY DAVENPORT

said, as there appeared to be no one present who had charge of the Bill, he moved to report Progress.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."—(Mr. Bromley Davenport.)

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

said, this measure had been in charge of the hon. Member for North Louth for a long time He (Mr. Russell) opposed it last Session because it contained clauses that he considered objectionable. Those clauses had been removed, and as the measure in no way affected present licence-holders, but only affected new licences, he hoped his hon. Friend would not persist in moving to report Progress.

MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)

remarked, that the Bill had been before the notice of the House for a considerable time and had been fully explained. He believed that it was favourably viewed by both sides of the House.

MR. DAVENPORT

said, his recollection was that on the Second Reading objection was taken from those (the Opposition) Benches, and the hon. Member in charge of the Bill made a protest and an appeal, stating that hon. Members from Ireland were in favour of the measure, and under those circumstances they allowed the Bill to be taken after 12 o'clock. It transpired, however, that there was an objection to the Bill from the colleagues of the hon. Member in charge of it.

MR. M. J. KENNY (Tyrone, Mid.)

What colleagues?

MR. DAVENPORT

I am unable to say. I know there was an objection by one hon. Member—I think the Member for South Down.

MR. CONYBEARE

It was withdrawn.

MR. DAVENPORT

knew nothing about it being withdrawn, but the notice of objection was on the Paper. Shortly after the occasion to which he referred it was proposed to take the Committee stage, and they were told there was no objection, but again it transpired that the objection had not been removed. The Second Reading having been taken under circumstances not exactly in accordance with the manner in which Bills ought to be taken, after 12 o'clock, he must persist in his Motion to report Progress.

MR. CONYBEARE

May I point out to the hon. Member, who has a faculty for opposing, in an unwarrantable manner, every kind of Bill, that every Notice of Motion for opposing this Bill has been withdrawn, and that there is not now a single Notice on the Paper in opposition to it.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

said, the hon. Member who was referred to as having objected to the Bill was present, and he showed no disposition to object now. There was no opposition on the part of the Irish Members, and he took it that whatever objection there had been before was more to taking the Bill after 12 o'clock at night than anything else.

MR. DAVENPORT

declined to withdraw his Motion.

Question put.

The Committee divided:—Ayes 19; Noes 108.—(Division List, No. 150.)

It being after Midnight, the Chairman left the Chair to make his report to the House.

Committee report Progress; to sit again upon Monday next.