HC Deb 25 June 1907 vol 176 cc1254-6

Considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 1:—

Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

SIR F BANBURY (City of London)

said that on the previous evening the Under-Secretary for the Colonies had taken upon himself to say that the conduct of a Gentleman on that side of the House was disgraceful. The hon. Gentleman was evidently under the impression that he and his Party could dragoon hon. Members in Committee by closure and in the House by denouncing their conduct in such terms. If the Government hoped to frighten Members into taking their measures after eleven o'clock by talking about the disgraceful conduct of those Members who did not give them all their own way, they were mistaken.

Mr. CHURCHILL

rose to reply, but it being Eleven of the clock, the Chairman left the Chair to make his Report to the House.

Committee report Progress.

MR. FORSTER (Kent, Sevenoaks)

asked whether it would not be in order to resume Committee after Eleven o'clock. He hoped his hon. friend would allow the Bill to pass unopposed.

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

said he knew of no reason why they should not go into Committee again.

Resolved, That the House will immediately resolve itself into Committee on the Bill.—(Mr Churchill.)

Bill again considered in Committee—

(In the Committee.)

Clause 1:—

Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

MR. CHURCHILL

said he had to express his regret that he was led last night by the vexation of the moment into using an unnecessarily severe expression with regard to what was, no doubt, the right of every private Member to oppose this Bill. If this Bill did not pass by 1st July, there was not a single provincial Budget in Canada which would not have to be revised. In the circumstances he thanked the hon. Baronet for not opposing the Bill.

MR. CLAUDE HAY (Shoreditch, Hoxton)

said the incident would be a valuable illustration for the Colonies of the tone and temper exhibited by the Minister in charge of the Bill in that Assembly. Therefore, in order that they might have another opportunity of discussing the Bill in Government time, he moved "That the Chairman report progress and ask leave to sit again."

SIR A. ACLAND-HOOD (Somersetshire, Wellington)

appealed to his hon. friend to withdraw the Motion, as they ought not, in regard to a Bill like this, to show temper on either side.

MR. CLAUDE HAY

I shall not withdraw.

And, it being after Eleven of the clock, and objection being taken to further proceeding, the Chairman left the Chair to make his Report to the House.

Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow.