Lords Sitting of 26 February 1894

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.

  MOTION.
  THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (The Ear] of KIMBEREY): My Lords, I beg leave to move that the House do adjourn during pleasure this evening in order that we may he able to receive, when ready, a communication from the House of Commons as to the Amendments of the Local Government Hill; and then, if convenient to your Lordships, I should certainly hope that we might take those Amendments into consideration to-morrow.
  THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY: I am very 1oth to offer any opposition to the arrangements which the noble Earl the Leader of the House proposes for the conduct of your business, but it, seems to me quite unreasonable that we should decide what to do with Amendments which possibly may be of great gravity until we can have them in print and have had a day to consider them. Of course, I am aware that time is precious. I do not wish to trespass on any controversial grounds, but those of your Lordships who hear me will agree with me that the pressure of time is due to the very exceptional character of the procedure of the last six months. Therefore, I do not think it is fair that we should be prevented from taking proper measures to arrive at a sound conclusion and from considering the Amendments most carefully, because, owing to circumstances over which certainly we have had no control, the time has become somewhat short. J therefore propose to move that after rising this day the House do not sit, except for legal business, until Wednesday at half-past 4 o'clock. That would give time for the Amendments of the House of Commons, whatever they are, to be printed, and for us to consider what course each of us would wish to take when we vote concerning them. I would rather not expatiate more upon a subject which might be felt to be thorny; hut I think I am not asking for more
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  than a legitimate time which is necessary for the proper consideration of our business.
  Moved,
  "That this House, after rising this day, do not sit again, except for Judicial Business, until Wednesday next, at half-past Four o'clock."—(The Marquess of Salisbury?)
  THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY: My Lords, I quite share the wish of the noble Marquess not to make this an occasion for any thorny discussion. I have no desire to enter upon any controversial topics, but I must confess my great regret at hearing that the noble Marquess is unable to agree to go on with public business to-morrow. I had hoped that, seeing the nature of the case, and that the matters in controversy between the two Houses are narrowed to certainly not very numerous points, however important they may be, it would have been possible, as we consider it necessary, to take the Amendments to-morrow. That being so, I should not consider my responsibility in the matter covered, and I should not think I was doing my duty if I did not dissent from the Motion of the noble Marquess. I would only observe that the reasons arc connected with public business; and without in the least going into past proceedings I would appeal to the House whether, looking to the state of business and to the absolute necessity for getting through whatever business there may be before a certain time, it is not of the very greatest importance that no time should be lost, and that the Prorogation of Parliament should not be further adjourned. I will not detain your Lordships further than to hope that you will not concur in the Motion of the noble Marquess.
  THE LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord HERSCHELL): I do not understand the noble Marquess to object to the House proceeding at present—adjourning during pleasure?
  THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY: No.
  THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY: After its rising to-day.
  On question? their Lordships divided: —Contents, 58; Not-Contents, 16.
  House adjourned during pleasure. House resumed: The Lord Kensington chosen Speaker in the absence of the

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  Lord Chancellor and the Lords Commissioners.

  LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ENGLAND AND WALES) BILL.
  Returned from the Commons with several of the Amendments last made by the Lords, and the further consequential Amendments agreed to; with several other of the Amendments last made by the Lords agreed to, with Amendments; and with several others disagreed to, with reasons for such disagreement; and with consequential Amendments to the Bill: The said Amendments and Reasons to be printed; and to be considered on Wednesday next. (No. 306.)
  House adjourned at ten minutes past Ten o'clock, till To-morrow, a quarter-past Ten o'clock.