HL Deb 08 July 1889 vol 337 cc1670-1

Order for Second Reading read.

* THE EARL OF LIMERICK

I have to make an appeal to the noble Lord who has charge of this Bill. I do not wish to express any opinion upon the Bill; but I would appeal to my noble Friend, considering the state of the House this evening, and as many noble Lords who take an interest in this matter are absent, whether it would not be well to postpone the Second Reading.

* LORD FITZGERALD

My Lords, personally I do not approve of this Bill, but it deals with what, no doubt, is a very important subject. I apprehend that after the Second Reading it would be the intention of the noble Lord to move that the Bill be referred to one of the Standing Committees. I have only to say that if the noble Lord does not assent to the postponement of the Second Reading, it will be necessary for some of us to discuss the principle of the Bill.

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY

I hope the noble Earl will consent to postpone the Second Reading. The Bill deals with a matter of the greatest importance, but there are many who entertain great objections to certain parts of it; and I think it would be unsatisfactory, in the present state of the House, to give it a Second Reading.

THE EARL OF MEATH

I am entirely in the hands of the House.

Second Reading put off to Tuesday the 16th instant.