HL Deb 14 May 1878 vol 239 cc1854-5
LORD SELBORNE

said, he understood that Her Majesty's Government, in the other House of Parliament, had found it convenient to make an arrangement for the discussion of the question of Constitutional Law relative to the movement of troops from India to Malta being taken on Monday next. Under those circumstances, perhaps their Lordships would be of opinion—at least, he had reason to think that the opinion would be entertained by some on that side of the House—that it would be convenient that the discussion in both Houses should take place on the same evening; and he hoped Her Majesty's Government would see its way to allow the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Bill, which stood first for Monday in that House, to be postponed to some other day, in order that the discussion on the constitutional question might take place in both Houses on the same day.

THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDON

said, he would postpone the Bill referred to until Tuesday, in order that the discussion on the constitutional question might be proceeded with on Monday.

THE EARL OF BEACONSFIELD

said, he would take the present opportunity of asking the noble and learned Lord (Lord Selborne) whether, when calling attention to the constitutional question referred to, he intended to conclude with a Motion?

LORD SELBORNE

was understood to say that it was no unusual practice of their Lordships' House to raise a discussion on a question without concluding with a Motion, and he did not intend to conclude with a Motion on the present question.