HC Deb 02 July 1918 vol 107 cc1684-6

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."

Sir F. BANBURY

In view of the fact that we have reported Progress so early, in view, also, of the fact that the President of the Board of Education, only a few moments ago, said progress had been so rapid that he had forgotten an Amendment of mine, and in view of the further fact that there is no Member from Ireland present, I submit that really this Bill ought not to be taken now. I do not know what it is about, and I do not think anybody does.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Arthur Samuels)

This is a quite unopposed Bill, and is merely to make a statutory Amendment.

Sir F. BANBURY

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain it?

Mr. SAMUELS

The Bill is to give jurisdiction to try offences in a portion of the county of Dublin. It is at the request of the magistrates that this Bill has been introduced, and I do not think there can be any objection to it.

Bill accordingly read a second time, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House for Monday next.—[Mr. J. Hope.]

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.

Whereupon Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER, pursuant to the Order of the House of the 13th February, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."

Mr. BOOTH

I have again searched in the Vote Office for the Report of Mr. Justice Atkin's Committee, but it has not yet arrived, and I take it that the Motion will, at least, not be taken before Thursday, and probably not before Monday. I wish also to ask whether the Eleven o'Clock Rule will be suspended to-morrow, whether it is the wish of the Government to dispose of the new Clauses and the Schedules of the Education Bill, and, if so, does that mean that we shall have a holiday on Friday?

Lord E. TALBOT (Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury)

If we finish the new Clauses and the Schedules to-morrow, there will be no Friday sitting. With regard to Mr. Justice Atkin's Report, I am afraid it is still wanting. I cannot find it.

Adjourned accordingly at Four minutes before Ten o'clock.