HC Deb 18 May 1893 vol 12 cc1351-3

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Mundella.)

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

objected.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, Brightside

mentioned that there were three other Bills on this subject, and it had been agreed that afterwards they should all be referred to a Committee and be considered together. He hoped, therefore, no objection would be taken to the Bill being now read a second time.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

considered it was extremely doubtful whether the House should pass the Bill at all; but, if they did, it should only be after they had had a full explanation of its objects.

*SIR JOHN LUBBOCK

appealed to hon. Members to allow the Second Reading to be taken, and then this, together with the other Bills on the same subject, could go before a Select Committee.

MR. BARTLEY

observed that one of the Labour Members had got a Motion down to the effect that the Bill be read that day six months.

MR. MUNDELLA

No, Sir; he has withdrawn it.

MR. BARTLEY

It is on the Paper for to-day, and he spoke to me about it himself; therefore, I must take it that the Labour Members are strongly opposed to it.

MR. MUNDELLA

said the notice of objection was put down to secure that the three Bills should go with this Bill to a Select Committee, and on that understanding the objection had been withdrawn.

COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT

Will all the Bills be referred to a Select Committee?

MR. MUNDELLA

Yes.

MR. HANBURY

objected to the present stage of the Bill being taken at that hour.

SIR W. HARCOURT

pointed out that it had been agreed that all the Bills on this subject should be sent to be considered by a Select Committee. Legislation on this subject was of great importance, and what conceivable argument could there be against the adoption of the course which was suggested? Surely it would not be justifiable to obstruct a measure of this kind.

MR. HANBURY

must point out that, this was not obstruction. The real obstruction came from the Government themselves, who, having taken the whole time of the House and sacrificed everything to the Home Rule Bill, refused to allow 10 minutes of public time for the discussion of other Bills. It was because they objected to the way the important business of the country was being obstructed by the Government——

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! If the Bill is objected to, of course it will have to stand over.

MR. T. M. HEALY

I wish to ask whether it is not possible to consider the advisability of abrogating the Twelve o'Clock Rules seeing that hon. Members object to Bills night after night without any regard to what the business is?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I am afraid, Sir, we are approaching a, point when it will be necessary to consider it.

Second Reading deferred till To-morrow, at Two of the clock.