HL Deb 11 August 1888 vol 330 cc385-7

Order of the Day for the Third Reading, read.

LORD HERSCHELL

asked permission of the House to read this Bill, which would enable the University to hold lands in mortmain, a third time, notwithstanding that it was not on the Paper of Business for the day. It had passed through all its stages except the third reading, and that had been delayed by the fact that the Mortmain Bill had not been disposed of. The Amendment just made in that Bill had imperilled its passing this Session; and, in that case, this Bill, unless read a third time to-day, would be postponed till November. Such postponement might prevent the University from receiving benefactions which it otherwise might receive. The Bill enabled the University to acquire land in mortmain. But this had already been done in the Mortmain Act. The provision in the general Act would have rendered unnecessary the clause in the special Bill. He hoped, therefore, that their Lordships would read the Bill a third time.

Moved, "That the Bill be now read 3a."—(The Lord Herschell.)

EARL BEAUCHAMP

was understood to object to the third reading.

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY

said, he must complain of the ungenerous conduct of the noble Earl. The noble Earl had obtained, by a small majority in a thin House, an Amendment to the Mortmain Bill, though his Amendment was not on the Paper, and there was no notice of it, and now he turned round upon his noble and learned Friend, and objected to this Motion. He (the Earl of Kimberley) asked the House to assent to the Motion, and thought that the objection of the noble Earl was most unreasonable, and, indeed, ungracious on his part.

EARL BEAUCHAMP

explained that his Amendment to the Mortmain Act was handed in by him to the Clerks on Thursday, and it was not his fault if it had not been printed.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord HALSBURY)

asked whether there was any precedent for a Bill being passed by their Lordships' House which was not on the Paper?

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY

said, he quite admitted that that could not be done save by the consent of the House; and, therefore, as the noble Earl opposite had objected, nothing could be done in the matter. That objection, however, he regarded as ungenerous and misplaced.

Motion (by leave of the House) withdrawn.

House adjourned during pleasure.

House resumed.

The Lord KINTORE (E. Kintore)

chosen Speaker in the absence of the Lord Chancellor and the Lords Commissioners.

House adjourned at half past One o'clock, to Monday next, a quarter before Two o'clock.