HL Deb 11 August 1888 vol 330 cc384-5

Order of the Day for the Second Reading, read.

THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Viscount CRANBROOK)

, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, that it was a Bill of a similar character to that which had just been passed.

Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Lord President.)

LORD DENMAN

said, that Bills being appointed for a second reading on a Saturday could not be read a second time on that day three months, as there would be no Sitting on a Saturday. He had three Bills—namely, Extension of Municipal Franchise (Ireland) to Women, ordered to be read on the 28th of August—Women's Suffrage Bill, ordered to be read on the 28th of Sep- tember, and the Duration of Speeches in Parliament Bill, ordered to be read on the 16th of October. The last Bill was said to be unnecessary, as the Standing Orders of their Lordships' House and the Rules of Procedure in the House of Commons could each regulate their own proceedings.

VISCOUNT CRANBROOK

rose to Order, and pointed out that the noble Lord's remarks were irrelevant to the subject before the House.

LORD DENMAN

went on to explain that if the House of Commons would not allow any reform of their Lordships' House to begin in it, he (Lord Denman) might offer for their acceptance or rejection a Bill affecting the House of Commons beginning in the House of Lords. This was a part of clôture when the Irish Church Bill was before the House. He, to-gether with an Irish Peer, was howled down, and he then said—"I will fight any one of you." The age of duelling was gone here, but retained in France. He did not suppose any of their Lordships would wish to risk his life against that of a man of 83; but if he had said anything offensive he would accept a challenge. He denied the right of the two leading Parties in the House to close a debate.

Afterwards,

LORD DENMAN

said, he desired to apologize to the House, preferring to ask a Question of the Lord Chancellor as to Notice; but he would put a Notice of his Question on the Paper for Monday.

VISCOUNT CRANBROOK

said, that no Business would be taken on Monday but merely the Royal Commission.

Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly; Committee negatived; Bill read 3a, and passed.