§ Order of the Day for the Third Reading read.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a.— (Lord Heneage.)
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (The Earl of HALSBURY)said he was surprised that the noble Lord had moved the Third Reading, as he had received from the noble Lord the assurance—as he understood it—that the Third Reading would not be taken until Monday. He hoped, not only for the sake of this particular matter, but in the interests of the conduct of business in this House, that the motion would not be persisted in in face of the understanding to which he had alluded.
§ LORD HENEAGEsaid that as his credit, too, was at stake, he must explain that the only question raised between the noble and learned Lord and himself was whether it would be more convenient that the noble and learned Lord should move his Amendment on the Report stage yesterday or on the Third Reading to-day. The noble and learned Lord pointed out that as the Tithes Bill was down for Second Reading on Thursday it would be more convenient to take the Report stage of this Bill formally on Thursday, and that the noble and learned Lord' should move his Amendment to-day. That was all that took place. If this were only a matter of convenience between the noble and learned Lord and himself he would not object to postponing the Third Reading; but there were several noble Lords present who had come down specially for this Bill, and he therefore could not take upon himself to withdraw the Bill from the purview of the House. He regretted that this misunderstanding had arisen, but in the circumstances he felt bound to press his motion for the Third Reading of the Bill.
§ THE EARL OF HALSBURYmoved "That the debate on the said motion be adjourned."
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYsuggested that as there had clearly been a personal misunderstanding, and there was no question of the delay involving the loss of the Bill, this was not a matter upon which their Lordships should be put to the trouble of dividing, and he hoped Lord Heneage would consent to the adjournment.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYjoined with Lord Kimberley in suggesting that Lord Heneage should, as a matter of grace, give way.
§ LORD HENEAGEsaid that after this expression of opinion from the Leaders on both sides of the House, he felt himself at liberty to consent to the adjournment.
§ On Question, "That the debate on the said motion be adjourned," resolved in the affirmative, and ordered accordingly; Bill to be read 3a an Monday next.