§ Brought from the Commons.
§ EARL GRANVILLE moved, that the Bill be now read a first time.
410§ EARL GREYsaid, he had understood that the Bill was to be read a second time to-morrow (Thursday), and a third time on Friday. He had no objection to that arrangement—on the contrary, he thought it would be a convenient one; but, as he presumed that a measure of this importance would probably undergo at least one discussion, he should be obliged to his noble Friend (Earl Granville) if he would tell him on which day he proposed to take the discussion. Perhaps, as the notice was rather short, he might be permitted to suggest that if it were equally convenient to the Government the discussion should be taken on Friday rather than Thursday.
§ EARL GRANVILLEsaid, he could not give any pledge on the subject to his noble Friend, because, although it would be quite as convenient to the Government to take the discussion on Friday as on Thursday, it might not be equally convenient to other noble Lords who had been led to expect that the discussion would take place on Thursday.
§ THE EARL OF EGLINTONsaid, so far as he was individually concerned, without presuming to speak for other noble Lords not at that moment present who sat on the same side of the House as himself, he should prefer to have the discussion taken on Friday rather than on Thursday.
§ EARL GRANVILLEThen let it be understood that, unless it be objected to by other noble Lords, the discussion will take place on Friday.
§ Bill read 1a; and to be read 2a To-morrow.
§ House adjourned at a quarter past Three o'clock, until to-morrow, half-past Ten o'clock.