Lords Sitting of 15 June 1885

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS—First Beading—Yorkshire Registries* (133).
Second Reading—Pier and Harbour Provisional Orders* (114); Burial Boards (Contested Elections)* (105).
Report—Gas Provisional Orders (No. 1)* (108).
Third Reading—Local Government Provisional Orders (Poor Law) (No. 4)* (123), and passed.

GLASGOW CORPORATION TRAMWAYS BILL.

  THIRD BEADING.
  Order of the Day for the Third Beading read.
  Moved, "That the Bill be now read 3a."
  THE EARL OF REDESDALE (CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES)in moving the postponement of the Order, said, his ground for doing so was, that the Post Office authorities had written complaining that certain clauses which they wished inserted had not been put before the Committee.
  Moved, "That the Order be postponed."—(The Earl of Redesdale.)
  THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDONsaid, he objected to the third reading of the Bill being postponed on that account. He was Chairman of the Committee before whom the Bill came; and as the Post Office officials, who had had ample time for the purpose, had not replied to the promoters regarding the clauses to which they objected, the Committee, after carefully considering the matter, in the absence of any communication from them, took it for granted that the Post Office was satisfied, and were not going to take any further steps. The Committee, therefore, proceeded with the Bill, and inserted several clauses which they knew the Post Office desired; but they rejected others which they did not think ought to be introduced. After the Committee had disposed of the Bill, a note was received by the promoters' solicitors from the Post Office, objecting that certain clauses had not been inserted; but the Committee refused to re-open the case, as the Post Office officials had had sufficient time to make their wants known before the Bill left the Committee. If the matter was of sufficient importance, the Bill could still be amended in the House of Commons, and the clauses desired by the Post Office considered. On those grounds he hoped his noble Friend would not insist upon postponing the third reading.
  THE EARL OF REDESDALE (CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES),in withdrawing the
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  Motion, said, that he hoped that what had occurred would be a lesson to Government Offices.
  Motion (by leave of the House) withdrawn.
  Original Motion agreed to.
  Bill read 3a accordingly, and passed, and sent to the Commons.

PARLIAMENT—ADJOURNMENT—RESIGNATION OF MINISTERS.

  MOTION.
  VISCOUNT CRANBROOK: My Lords, in the absence of my noble Friend (the Marquess of Salisbury) I beg to move that the House do adjourn until Friday next, upon which day it is probable that my noble Friend will make a statement.
  EARL GRANVILLE: My Lords, as a question had been put to me on the subject of moving the Adjournment, I wrote to the noble Marquess (the Marquess of Salisbury) to ask what were his wishes; whether he desired the Adjournment to be moved by his own Friends, or from that (the Treasury) Bench? In reply, he was good enough to tell me that his Friends or himself would move the Adjournment of the House. He has accordingly selected one of his own Friends for the purpose; and although I think the precedents are the other way, I do not intend to make any Motion whatever. I can only say that I agree with the Motion of the noble Viscount.
  THE MARQUESS OF RIPON: I hope I may be allowed to proceed with the Bill that stands in my name—the Honorary Freedom of Boroughs Bill.
  VISCOUNT CRANBROOK: I have no objection to withdraw my Motion for the moment, if there is any Business which can be proceeded with.
  THE LORD CHANCELLOR: In point of form, the House would adjourn till to-morrow, to allow of the Judicial Business being proceeded with; it being understood that the House will not meet till Friday for Legislative Business.
  VISCOUNT CRANBROOK: Of course that will be understood.
  Motion (by leave of the House) withdrawn.
  After an interval, during which several Bills were advanced a stage.
  VISCOUNT CRANBROOK: I now beg to move that the House do adjourn for ordinary Business until Friday next.

  PUBLIC OFFICES—THE NEW ADMIRALTY AND WAR OFFICES—THE MODELS.—QUESTION.
  THE EARL OF WEMYSS: Before the Motion for the Adjournment is put, I should like to ask a Question of my noble Friend the First Commissioner of Works (the Earl of Rosebery), if I may so call him. It relates to the models of the new War Office.
  EARL GRANVILLE,interposing: In accordance with the agreement on both sides of the House, I must object to entering into any question whatever under the present circumstances. Nothing but necessary Business can be taken before the Motion is put.
  THE EARL OP WEMYSS: All I want is that my noble Friend shall make some arrangement by which persons interested may be able to see the model of the new War Office which is to be exhibited this week.
  THE EARL OP ROSEBERY: My noble Friend is aware that, at the present moment, I am neither fish, flesh, nor fowl, nor any other product known in natural history; and under the circumstances I must decline to enter into any arrangement, or to agree to the making of any arrangement, on this subject.
  Motion agreed to.

  YORKSHIRE REGISTRIES BILL. [H.L.]
  A Bill to amend the Yorkshire Registries Act, 1884—Was presented by The Lord WENLOCK; read 1a. (No. 133.)
  House adjourned at a quarter before Five o'clock, till To-morrow, a quarter past Ten o'clock.