THE MARQUEES OF SALISBURYMy Lords, before we adjourn I should like to announce to your Lordships that I have put down the Boards of Guardians (Default) Bill for to-morrow for Second Reading. It was, of course, only read a first time to-day. The reason for the proposed procedure is that, unless this Bill can be passed into law in the course of a very few days, the West Ham Board of Guardians will be without any money at all to carry out their duties even on the most economical lines. Therefore the 1056 Bill is of a very urgent character. It will be put down for Second Reading tomorrow, but it will come after the Motion of the noble Earl, Lord Russell, upon the incident that happened last Thursday.
I am given to understand that the debate on that Motion is likely to take some little time and in these circumstances the Bill will come on very late for Second Reading. I am afraid I shall be under the absolute necessity of asking your Lordships to take the Bill tomorrow at whatever time it comes on, so that I hope you will be prepared to sit after dinner if it is absolutely necessary. I need not tell your Lordships that it is with the greatest reluctance that I put this burden upon the House. I think your Lordships will recognise that I have very seldom done it and I hope you will see that it is only because of the urgent necessity of the case.
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPMy Lords, I think the course proposed by the noble Marquess is certainly the best in the circumstances. If he will allow me I will defer until to-morrow any criticism of the circumstances which force your Lordships to take such a step.
§ House adjourned at twenty minutes past seven o'clock.