§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to carry the Crofters' Act Amendment Bill this Session, he will arrange for an Autumn Session to pass that Bill and any other pressing measures? The hon. Member, in putting the question, said ho desired to amend it by inserting, after the word "whether" in the first line, the phrase "having regard to the fact that the Government decline to use the closure." He further asked why the right hon. Gentleman had abandoned all hope of passing this Bill during the present Session; and whether it was within his recollection that only last week he advised the Highland Members not to abandon all hope of this Bill passing this Session.
§ DR. MACGREGOR () Inverness-shireBefore the right hon. Gentleman replies 772 —[Opposition laughter]—I am glad my getting up has so agreeable an effect on Gentlemen opposite, and creates so much merriment—I wish to ask him, being specially interested in this subject, whether he is aware that I can neither endorse nor approve of the suggestions contained in the question of my hon. Friend?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir W. HARCOURT,) DerbyIf my hon. Friend behind me (Dr. Macgregor) cannot agree with my hon. Friend below me (Mr. Weir) he cannot expect that I can coincide with this suggestion, and when my hon. Friend talks of abandoning all hope, he may remember there was an ancient inscription to that effect, and I believe it might be written over the door of the House of Commons in the middle of August. I am afraid I cannot gratify the wish of my hon. Friend.
§ MR. WEIRMay I remind the right hon. Gentleman that many of the Irish Members are prepared to sacrifice their holiday on the altar of duty, and to stop here in this House in order to advance legislation, not only for the Highland Crofters, but for the masses of the people of the country.
§ [No answer was given].