HC Deb 17 June 1896 vol 41 cc1297-8

The Order for the consideration of this Bill, as amended by the Standing Committee on Law, etc., having been read,

SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

said his hon. Friend the Member for Wandsworth (Mr. Kimber) had agreed to withdraw the Amendments he had put down to the Bill, in order to facilitate its passage through the House. He appealed to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Wolverhampton to adopt a similar course in regard to his Amendments.

SIR HENRY FOWLER (Wolverhampton)

said he was perfectly ready to consider the Amendments of the promoters of the Bill with a view to arriving at a satisfactory decision. If the Bill were pressed in its present shape he would feel bound to oppose it and to divide the House against it. But he thought it could be made a practical Bill by arrangement. He should be glad to do his best to bring about that result.

SIR ROBERT REID (Dumfries Burghs)

said the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Wolverhampton had raised different questions in the Grand Committee, but had never divided upon them. ["Hear, hear!"] He had now placed Amendments to the Bill on the Paper which made the passage of the Bill impossible. The right hon. Gentleman had intimated that he was willing to meet the promoters of the Bill and discuss the matter. What good would that be? What opportunity was there in the House of Commons now to have discussions on Amendments to a private Member's Bill? ["Hear, hear!"] This Bill was, it was true, brought in this year by his hon. and gallant Friend (Sir H. Vincent); but last year it was brought in by the then Government.

SIR H. FOWLER

No, not by the Government.

SIR R. REID

said he pledged his word to what he said. His name was on the back of the Bill, and it was brought in by him as Attorney General, with the sanction of the Cabinet. It was printed as a Government Bill, and he did not think that in the circumstances the right hon. Gentleman should interfere and oppose it now.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER,) Isle of Wight

said he would be glad to see the Bill pass, but there were matters in it deserving of careful consideration. His hon. and learned Friend opposite had said there would be no opportunity of discussing the Bill. If his hon. and learned Friend meant across the floor of the House that might be so, as the Bill was introduced by a private Member, but he thought it probable that in the course of next week something might be done by which the Opposition to the Bill would be reduced to a minimum.

SIR H. FOWLER

That is my suggestion.

SIR R. REID

said he would be glad if there was any prospect of getting the Bill through as indicated by the Attorney General; but every one knew that the Opposition of one Member might be fatal to a Bill at that stage of the Session.

Consideration, as amended by the Standing Committee, deferred till Wednesday next.