HC Deb 05 May 1898 vol 57 cc427-9
MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary why the Government has set down the Committee on the financial resolution to authorise payment from the Consolidated Fund for the purposes of the Local Government (Ireland) Bill as the first Order of the day; I understood that it would be taken when the Committee are approaching the third part of the Bill; and, as important matters for discussion are likely to arise in relation to the Resolution, it surely would have been reasonable and courteous to have given a few days' notice of the intention to proceed with it.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I confess I hear with some surprise that the notice I gave yesterday is regarded by the honourable Member and his friends as too short. Of course, it was well known that the Resolution would have to come on either to-day or at a very early date, and I was not aware that there was to be a Debate upon it which could be described as of a very important character. As honourable Members are aware, the Government have promised opportunity for a Debate on the whole subject of the financial relations between Great Britain and Ireland; and I do not know that it would be in order to discuss that wider question on this Resolution. However that may be, I do not suppose there will be any desire to open the larger question in reference to this Bill, and I hoped we might have got through this parenthetical stage of the Bill without any long discussion.

MR. DILLON

We have no intention of raising the wider question of financial relations generally between Great Britain and Ireland, but there are two important points of finance as affected by the Bill Irish Members desired to discuss. There are, too, some very important figures we wish to have before us prior to entering on the discussion. It would surely be more convenient to give us at least two days' notice. It must be a matter of indifference to the Government.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

The implied understanding was that this Resolution would not be brought forward until Clause 34 was reached.

MR. BLAKE (Longford, S.)

May I remind the right honourable Gentleman that what was stated was that the financial Resolution should be taken at the time the third part of the Bill was reached?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

But honourable Members must remember we have also to get the Report stage of the Resolution.

MR. DILLON

I suggest that the Resolution be put down for Tuesday as the first Order. I think I can undertake that no fresh discussion would be raised on the Report stage.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

But we could not take that stage till this day week.

MR. DILLON

Yes; the Report stage might be taken on Wednesday, and after that we could proceed with the financial clauses of the Bill.

MR. LOUGH

I may remind the right honourable Gentleman that to-morrow and Monday is set apart for other business. Monday is allocated for the Budget Resolutions.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

Will right honourable Members opposite take that view? I am quite willing to postpone the financial Resolution, but I hope there will be no unnecessary Debate on it.

MR. LAMBERT (Devon, S. Molton)

Can the right honourable Gentleman say with certainty it will be taken on Tuesday? I have come all the way from Devonshire for this Debate.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

As far as I can say, it will certainly be taken on Tuesday.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Is there any objection to some of us going to Devonshire on Tuesday?

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