HC Deb 22 August 1895 vol 36 cc652-5

On the Report of the Vote for the Survey of the United Kingdom,

MR. MAURICE HEALY

said, it was understood the Report of that Vote should not be taken to-night. He begged to move the Adjournment of the Debate.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

If the hon. Gentleman will carry his mind back to what occurred the other night, he will remember that I was disposed to make an arrangement as to time, the terms being, if certain other Votes were given that night, I would take the Report of this Vote at half-past eleven. That was suggested by hon. Members opposite, and we came to no arrangement at all.

MR. MAURICE HEALY

said, he did not charge the right hon. Gentleman with any breach of arrangement. He was quite aware that no formal arrangement was come to, but his objection to the Report being taken was not based on that ground. The right hon. Gentleman would remember there were a number of topics which hon. Members on that side of the House desired to raise, and which were postponed as there was some idea that the Report of the Vote would be taken at an early hour. The understanding was that, if the Colonial Vote and the Privy Council Vote were allowed to be taken, no other business would be pressed.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

said, that the hon. Gentleman was not in the House when the incident occurred. The understanding was that the Colonial Vote and the next, a non-contentious Vote, should be disposed of for the purpose of bringing on the Report of Supply as soon as possible. The House, he was sure, would wish to dispose of that before adjourning.

MR. JASPER TULLY (Leitrim, S.)

seconded the motion for the adjournment of the Debate.

MR. LOUGH

said, that the understanding was that the Report of Supply would not be taken, as there were several points to be raised.

* MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

said, that the Secretary to the Treasury gave as distinct a pledge as possible that the Report of the Vote for Public Works and Buildings should be brought on at an early hour. Of course the Irish Members were quite competent to discuss the Report at one o'clock in the morning, as they had been through the mill before; but an understanding ought to be an understanding, however great a majority the Government might possess.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

said, that it would be admitted by gentlemen who had followed the Debate that there was no promise given, and therefore there could be no question of a breach of faith. But he would make a suggestion. If the Government agreed to postpone Report of Supply, would hon. Members opposite on their part agree to take to-morrow (Friday), after 12 o'clock, the whole of Report for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday's Supply?

MR. LOUGH

Will the right hon. Gentleman promise to bring it on at 11 o'clock?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

The hon. Member must not press me too much.

DR. CLARK

referred to the Ordnance Survey and Public Works Votes as items which ought to be postponed. The others might well pass that evening.

DR. TANNER

suggested 11 o'clock as the time to be fixed for the consideration of the Report.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Original Question put, and agreed to.

On the Report of the Vote for Harbours, Lighthouses, &c., under the Board of Trade,

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE moved the adjournment of the Debate, in order to consider several points in connection with certain harbours of refuge for fishing vessels on the coast of Wales.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) Croydon

said that, since the previous discussion, sufficient time had not elapsed to permit him to consider the question.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

said, he understood from the hon. Member for Caithness that there were only two Votes which required further discussion—the Ordnance Survey and Public Works (Ireland). He was ready to defer these two Votes until 12 o'clock to-morrow night.

MR. T. M. HEALY

hoped that an earlier time would be given. One Vote referred to was of considerable importance, for it referred to the reconstruction of the Board of Works in Ireland.

MR. TULLY

suggested 11 o'clock. There were several points he wanted to raise on the Vote, but having no unfriendly spirit he deferred them to the Report stage.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

said, he had no wish to enter into a compact with any section of the House, and he recognised what had just been said, that there was no unfriendly spirit. He thought 12 o'clock a reasonable suggestion, but he would give another half hour and say 11.30. He hoped that the non-contentious Votes would now be allowed to pass. The Harbour Vote would be taken after 11.30.

Resolution postponed.

On the Report of the Vote for the construction of a new Harbour of Refuge at Peterhead,

DR. CLARK

said, he had a question to ask on this matter, but he would postpone it till question time.

Resolution agreed to.

Report of the Votes for the Rating of Government Property, the Foreign Office and Irish Light Railways agreed to.

Report of the Vote for the Erection and Maintenance of Public Buildings in Ireland postponed.

Further consideration of Postponed Resolutions deferred till this day (Friday).