m^-Aj^M-mmm -&^ji^ Cornell University Library KD4354.A51884 The decisions of the Right. Hon. Arthur 3 1924 017 877 535 jii!V-/i",>v- \ n ,h ) '" Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/cletails/cu31924017877535 THE DECISIONS OF THE Right Hon. ARTHUR WELLESLEY PEEL, From, his Election to the Speakership, February 26, 1884, to his Retirement from the Chair, April 9, 1895. ON Points of Order, Rules of Debate, AND THE WITH AN APPENDIX OF THE STANDING ORDERS OP THE HOUSE OF COMMONS JtELATIVE TO PUBLIC BUSINESS, 1899. BY EDWIN GORDON BLACKMORE, Clerli of the Legislative Council and Clerk of the Parliaments, South Australia ; Clerk of the Australasian Federal Convention, 1897-1898. By Authority, C. E. Bristow, Government Printer, North Terrace. 1900. /S/-?^/^' EXTRACTS FROM LETTBR^J^£f£04Jim TO THE PAST AND TO THE PREmfF-^UGATIONS. [From the Right Hon. Arthur Wellesley, Viscount Peel, late Speaker of the House of Commons.] "December 13, 1898. " It will be a great satisfaction to me to have these Decisions edited by one who, in so many volumes, has already proved his special competence for the task ; and I feel honored by the fact that the Clerk of the ParUaments of South AustraUa should see in these Rulings material fit to be recorded. "I am glad to have this opportunity of renewing those friendly and kindly relations which have subsisted between us in the past, and I beg to repeat my sincere acknowledgments for the present and past favors which you have shown me. " Very truly and faithfully, " Peel." [From the same.] " October 17, 1899. " I can truly say that I have been surprised at the accuracy of detail in your former volumes, and at the grasp which you have displayed of the principles of our Parhamentary Procedure in this coimtry ; and your new volume, containirfg my own Decisions and Rulings, will interest me much, and wiU be for me, I have no doubt ^ a faithful record of judgments delivered from the Chair in troublous times." [From the Right Hon. W. C. Gully, Speaker of the House of Commons.] " May 3, 1898. ' ' I often find it very useful. By giving the short print of the Decision and the reference to, or short quotation from, ' Hansard ' without comment, you put an immense amount of reliable information into a small compass." [From the same.] " October 20, 1899. "I am very glad to hear that another complete volume of your 'Speakers' Decisions ' is in course of preparation. I have found the previous volume extremely useful and reliable. It shows a thorough appreciation of the principles and techni- calities of Parliamentary Procedure." [From Sir Reginald F. D. Palgrave, K.C.B., Clerk of the House of Commons.] " November 8, 1899. " Mr. Blackmore's collection of Rulings from the Speaker's Chair are so admirably edited and arranged that they have been frequently used by Speakers Brand, Peel, and Gully, both when under the pressure of an immediate demand for a prompt decision and also when some measure is allowed for the settlement of a point in dispute." BY THE SAME AUTHOR. THE DECISIONS OF THE RIGHT HON. EVELYN DENISON, Speaker of the House of Commons (April 30, 1857— Feb. 8, 1872), AND OF THE RIGHT HON. SIR H. B. W. BRAND, G.C.B., Speaker of the House of Commons (Feb. 9, 1872— Feb. 25, 1884), On Points of Order, ' Rules of Debate, and the General Practice of the House. I vol., demy 8vo., los. 6d. Adelaide : 1892. MANUAL OF THE PRACTICE, PROCEDURE, AND USAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COtHSTCIL OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. As governed by the Standing Orders of the Legislative Council relating to Public Business ; and by the Rules, Forms, and Practice of the House of Commons, where applicable. Illustrated by Precedents drawn from the Minutes of the Legislative Council, 1857-1888, and the Joumals of the House of Commons ; -with an Appendix of Acts Telating to the Constitution of the Province. I vol., crown 8vo., IDs. 6d. Adelaide: i88g. yi, BY THE SAME AUTHOR. MANUAL OF THE PRACTICE, PROCEDURE, AND USAGE OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF THE PROVINCE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. As governed by the Standing Rules and Orders for regulating the Public Business of the House ; and by the Rules, Forms, and Practice of the House of Commons, where applicable. Illustrated by Precedents drawn from the Votes and Proceedings of the House, 1857-1889, and the Journals of the House of Commons. Second Edition. I vol., crown 8vo., ids. 6d. Adelaide : 1890. THE LAW OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA, A COLLECTION OF IMPERIAL STATUTES, LOCAL ACTS, AND INSTRUMENTS RELATING TO THE CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT OF THE PROVINCE ; With Notes, Historical and Cqnstitutional. I vol., quarto, los. 6d. Adelaide : 1894. EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS TO THE AUTHOR IN REFERENCE TO' ••DENISON'S" AND ■' BRAND'S" DECISIONS. AS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED. [From the Right Honorable Sir H. B. W. Brand, G.C.B., Speaker of the House of Commons, 1872-1884.] ' ' The work shows much research and exactness, and I feel personally indebted to you for collecting together a manual of decisions which, I hope and believe, are founded upon the ancient usage of Parliament." [From the Right Honorable Arthur WeUesley Peel, Speaker of the House of Commons.] " You have put me under a further obligation by your letter and by the copies of the 'Decisions' for the years 1887, 1888, and 1889. lvalue the whole series, and am glad that the work has been undertaken by one who brings to it so much ability and judgment." [From Sir Lyon Playfair, Chairman of Committees, House of Commons.] "February 23, 1882. "They form a very convenient compilation for reference, and, I think, will be useful to your Legislature as well as to our own." [Extracts from letters of the late Sir T. Ersldne May, K.C.B., Clerk of the House of Commons.] ,,-r „. ,, ,oq, -" June 24, 1 00 1. " Exceedingly weU finished and arranged." "July 21, 1882. " I have no hesitation in saying that it is a valuable contribution to Parliamentary literature, and does you very great credit." "August 17, 1883. " I am glad to have an opportunity of congratulating you upon the success of your labors. The collection of decisions of several years, which you have now completed, must be of the greatest value to the Parliaments of Australia. The Speaker desires- me to acknowledge his sense of your kindness in undertaking the work." [From Reginald F. D. Palgrave, C.B., Clerk of the House of Commons.] "April I, 1887. " We are all highly indebted to you for this most useful result of your devoted labors," [From the late Alpheus Todd, Librarian of the Parliament of the Dominion of Canada, author of " Parliamentary Government in England" and "Parlia- mentary Government in the British Colonies."] "I have been indebted to the kindness of friends in Australia for a copy of your two useful little volumes of Decisions of the Speakers of the House of Commons VIU. EXTEACTS FROM LETTERS TO THE AUTHOR. -{Denison and Brand) . These books I have given to the newly-elected Speaker of our Canadian Commons, by whom they are highly appreciated. A leading member of our House, and an ex-Premier (Honorable Edward Blake), having seen the volumes, is anxious for copies to be placed in our Library for the use of members." " Library of Parliament, Ottawa, Canada, October 13, 1883. "Your valuable httle volumes attracted so much attention with us as to make me -anxious to place them on the shelves of our library as well as in the hands of the Speaker of our Commons." [Extract from a letter of the late Hon. C. H. Pearson, M.A., M.L.A., Victoria, Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford, and Minister of Public Instruction, Victoria.] " Of the value to Members of Parliament in any part of the world of such manuals as yours there can, of course, be no doubt." [The Times, Wednesday, October 29, 1884.] " The appearance of the series of handbooks, edited by Mr. Edwin Gordon Black- more, Clerk Assistant and Sergeant-at- Arms of the House of Assembly at Adelaide, is a most interesting and significant fact. All the principal decisions upon Points of Order by Mr. Speaker Denison or Mr. Speaker Brand are contained in these four convenient handbooks. They contain, in a few pages, the pith of a great many volumes of ' Hansard,' and they wUl serve, as nothing else could, to extend to our flourishing constitutional oifspring of Australia the principles which are acted upon by the mother Legislature of England. An excellent idea has been admirably carried' out." [From The Oxford Magazine, from a review of " The Law of the Constitution of South Australia," November 6, 1895.] " The reader of Mr. Forsyth, Sir WiUiam Anson, and Professor Dicey, and of the works on colonial law, such as Burge and Tarring, must sometimes wish to see the general statements of those learned authors put into what may be called working order. Here is his opportunity. In a well-printed volume of 164 pages, margin and index excellent, he can find as it were enclosed in a ring fence all that there is to know about tie Constitution of South AustraUa. The position of the compiler is a guarantee of his accuracy. The same work has been done for some of the other colonies, and the difference between England with a history and a colony without a -history is strildngly shown by the simplicity and brevity of 'the colonial constitutional law. The mam difficulties in the latter appear to arise on the questions of reservation and repugnancy, on both of which Mr. Blackmore has something to say which is ■«'°J'\ saying. It is interesting to note that the privileges of the Legislative Council and the House of Assembly are statutory, and are such as were possessed by the House of Commons in 1858. As a companion to the more general works on consti- tutional and colomal law Mr. Blackmore's book will be found both mteresting and trustworthy, and the study of South AustraUan particulars will tend to make more •defimte the study of imperial generals." [From " How to Study the Empire," by the Right Hon. Sir C. W. Dilke.— CnftV;, November 5, 1898.] "For Australian political philosophy 'The Law of the Constitution of South Austraha,' by Mr. Blackmore, the Clerk of the Parhaments of the colony, who was ■also Clerk of the recent Commonwealth Convention, should be studied." deification* TO THE Eight Hon. Srthur Wellesley, Yiscount Peel, THIS COLLECTION OF HIS DECISIONS, GIVEN IN THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, IS, BY HIS PEKMISSION, INSCRIBED BY HIS OBEDIENT SERVANT, EDWIN GORDON BLACKMORE. "We require of our Speaker, in the discharge of his duty, unwearied attention, prompt decision, the utmost presence of mind, and the greatest faciKty in the dispatch of business. With these quahfications we demand others that are not commonly supposed to accompany those faculties which characterise men of high ability. We require a mind capable of taking a comprehensive view of the historical events, the commercial relations, and the high political interests of the country, and yet capable of vrithdrawing himself from the contemplation of such important and interesting subjects, and of descending to the discussion of some insulated principle — to the investigation of some trifling Point of Order, some almost forgotten obsolete form, or some nearly forgotten privilege." — Speech of the Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel, January 14, 1819, on moving — "'Ihat the Right Hon. Charles Manners Sutton do take the Chair of this House as Speaker" "There was a time. Sir, when the chief function of the Speaker was to defend the privileges of this House against external attack. Dangers of that kind have passed away, and the chief function of the Speaker— one may almost say practically the exclusive function of the Speaker — is to defend the House against itself — that is, to vindicate its authority against any individual member who may not be sufficiently sensible of his duty. And that function, I am afraid, Sir, in modem times has become still more arduous and difficult than was the original office of defence against aggression, which in former times constituted the chief characteristic of the place that he holds." — Speech of the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone on seconding the nomination of the Right Hon. Arthur Wellesley Peel to the Chair of the House of Commons, for the third time, August 5, 1886. "I would fain hope that, by the co-operation of aU its members, this House may continue to be a pattern and a model to foreign nations and to those great peoples who have left our shores and have carried our blood, our race, our language, our institutions, and our habits of thought to the uttermost parts of the earth." — Speech of the Right Hon. A . W. Peel when announcing his retirement from the Chair, April?,, 1895. ' ' Resolved, nemine contradicente — ' ' That the thanks of this House be given to Mr. Speaker for his distinguished services in the Chair for more than eleven years ; that he be assured that this House fully appreciates the zeal, ability, and impartiaUty with which he has discharged the duties of his high office through a period of unusual labor, difficulty, and anxiety, and the judgment and firmness with which he has maintained its privileges and dignity ; and that this House feels the strongest sense of his unremitting attention to the constantly increasing business of Parha- ment and of his uniform urbanity, which have secured for him the respect and esteem of this House." — Journals of the House of Commons, April 9, 1895. "You will feel in the days that are to come that you have added fame to a name among the most illustrious in the annals of the House of Commons, and that you have exalted the dignity of a station the higliest to which an Enghsh gentleman can be called." — Sir W. Harcourt, moving the resolution. " It will be said of you. Sir, not merely that you have occupied a great place in the long Hue of illustrious Speakers— perhaps the greatest place— for many genera- tions past, but it will also be said of you that each individual member of the House found in you a kind and considerate guide, and that you carried with you, in your returement, not merely the respect and admiration of all who have watched your great career, but also the love and the affection of every single member of that great assembly whose interests you have served so ^fre\l."— Speech of Mr. A. J. Balfour, seconding the resolution. PREFACE. THE present volume is intended as a sequel to the collection of Decisions by Mr. Speaker Denison and Mr. Speaker Brand, originally published successively between the years 1881 and 1887, in five small volumes, and re-issued in one volume in 1892. It covers the period 1884-1895, during which the Right Hon. Arthur Wellesley Peel occupied the Chair of the House of Commons. Of the manner in which the inheritor of one of the most illustrious names in the Parliamentary Annals of England presided over the deliberations of the House it would be unbecoming in the Author to speak. But he has felt justified in renewing in print the memorable words used by Sir Robert Peel in 1819, in which he sketched what the House demanded from the occupant of the chair, and the description of the functions of the Speaker by Mr. Gladstone when seconding the nomination for the third time of Mr. Speaker Peel in 1886. The resolution of the House of Commons on Mr. Speaker's retirement and the language used by the mover and seconder on that occasion supply the most fitting tribute and estimate of the work of Mr. Speaker Peel, and its appreciation by the House. In conclusion, the Author desires to record his deep obligation to the late Sir T. Erskine May and to Sir Reginald F. D. Palgrave for encouragement, assistance, and generous recpgnition, and for the readiness with which at all times they placed at his disposal the results of their unrivalled knowledge of the Law and Practice of Parliament. To the late Lord Hampden (Mr. Speaker Brand), to Viscount Peel, to the present Speaker (the Right Hon. W. C. Gully) he is equally indebted for the way in which each has expressed his appreciation of the manner in which the Author has executed his work and testified to its usefulness to the Speaker in the Chair. Thanks are also due to Chairmen of Committees and to leading Members of the Commons, and to the Presiding Oificers and Ofiicials, and to many Members, of the Parliaments of the Dominion of Canada and of the Australasian Colonies, for their recognition of the services of "The Decisions." January s, 1900. EDWIN GORDON BLACKMORE. N.B.— As Standing Orders affecting the conduct of the Business and Sittings of the House have been passed subsequently to Mr. Speaker Peel's election to the Chair, it has been thought advisable to give, in an Appendix, the Public Standing Orders as printed in 1899 ; but the Author was unwilling to omit any of tne Rulings given. It is hoped that a comparison of the dates of the Rulings with'those of the respective Standing Orders will preclude any misunderstanding as to present practice. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Acts of Parliament Addkess in Eeply Adjournment of the House Amendments BiiLS : Debate on Stages Bills : Procedure on Stages Business of the House . . Chairman of Committees Closure Debate . . Divisions Documents Instructions to Committees Journals op the House Members Messages from the Cro^wn MiNiSTEBiAi Statement . . Motions . . Officers of the House . . Order Permission of the House Petitions . . Previous Question Printing a Paper Private Business Privilege Questions Eepobters' Gallery . . Resolutions of the House Returns . , Same Question Select Committees Sitting of the House Speaker, The . . Supply Vote of Thanks Writ . . Index Appendix OP MR. SPEAKER PEEL (1884-1895). The References are made to the Third and Fourth Series of Hansard' s Debates. The Third Series ends with Vol. 356. Vols, i el seq. belong to the Fourth Series. ACTS OF PARLIAMENT. Errors in Print. The true record of an Act is the signed copy of the Act. In this case attention was called to a difference between the first issue ty the Queen's Printer of an Act and subsequent issues. It was explained that a printer's error had been made, and that the erroneous copies would be destroyed. Mr. Speaker stated lit supra. Cf. Printingof " The Elementary Education Act, 1891." Vol. 1, pp. 687-8.— February 18, 1892. ADDRESS IN REPLY. Report : Notice. There is no notice necessary for the Report of the Address. No notice is ever given of the Report of the Address ; it is brought up as a matter of course immediately after the Address is agreed to. Cf. Address in Answer to the Queen's Speech. Vol. 308, pp. 1162-3.— September 2, 1886. Debate : Relevancy of. On the Question " That the House do agree with the Committee in the said Address to be presented to Her Majesty," the principle of relevancy applies. Cf. Address in Answer to the Queen's Speech — Report. Vol. 293, p. 1026.— November 5, 1884. A 2 ADDRESS IN REPLY. Amendments : Relevancy of. Amendments must be relevant. Cf . Address in answer to the Queen's Speech. Vol. 1, p. 398.— February 12, 1892. Amendments ; Relevancy of Debate on. When the general Debate on the Address appears to have terminated by the introduction of an Amendment, then the general discussion on the Address is closed : and when an Amendment is proposed the discussion is confined to the subject-matter of that Amendment. When a Member concludes with an Amendment it is a specific Amendment before the House ; and the general question of relevancy applies. It is more in order to confine the Debate to the specific terms of the Amendment. When the Amendment is concluded the Address is again open to Amendment between that Amendment, and possibly a subsequent Amend- ment. But when an Amendment is before the House the discussion must be generally relevant to the subject-matter of the Amendment. Cf. Address in Answer to the Queen's Speech. Vol. 308, pp. 413-4.— August 24, 1886. Cf. also. Address in Answer to the Queen's Speech. pp. 626-7.— August 26, 1886. Cf. also. Address in Answer to the Queen's Speech. pp. 1242-3.— September 3, 1886. ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. THE NEW RULES. Ninth Standing Order. Lord Richard Grosvenor having moved the Adjournment of the House at the commencement of the sitting, on the return of the House from the Lords, where the Royal Assent had been given to certain BUIs, objection was taken that the conditions prescribed for a Motion for the Adjournment by the ninth Rule had not been fulfilled. Mr. Speaker ruled— That under the exceptional circumstances, that it was the close of an exceptional sitting of the House, and the announcement that no Government business would be taken that day, there was justification for the course. The Stand- ing Order applied solely to Motions made for the purpose of raising a Debate, and not to a Motion made by the Government for the purpose of closing the business of the House. It was passed to prevent vexatious or obstructive Motions for the Adiouru- "eut. ' N.B. —The House was counted and the sitting suspended until four o'clock, when i sumed, and at two minutes past four o'clock was adjourned until Monday, Februar til J looO. Cf. Adjournment of the House. Vol. 294, pp. 843-8.— December 6, 1884. ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. 3 Debate. The new Rules do not preclude the usual discussion on the Motion for Adjournment. Cf. Parliament. Business of tlie House. Vol. 286, p. 1815.— April 7, 1884. Without Notice or by Ballot. It is optional for a Member to decide whether to move the Adjourn- ment of the House or to ballot for a day. The House must judge the ■question, of Adjournment. In this case Mr. Speaker was asked whether the revocation of a memorandum hy a Minister was a suhjeot to be dealt with by moving the Adjournment of the House. Cf. Lancashire County Magistracy (Appointment). Motion of Adjournment. Vol. 11, p. 1143.— Apra25, 1893. Time for Moving. It is impossible to move the Adjournment of the House before the •Orders are disposed of, unless the Government make the Motion. But "the motion may be made between two Orders of the Day. Cf. Archdeaconry of Cornwall Bill. Order for Committee read. Motion to adjourn. Vol. 350, pp. 805-7.— February 16, 1891. Limitation as to Member Moving. A Member who has moved the Adjournment of the Debate cannot, on a subsequent occasion when the Debate on the Main Question is resumed, move " That the House do now adjourn." Cf. Address in Keply. Vol. 8, p. 1008.— February 9, 1893, Limitation of Debate. On the Motion " That this House do now adjourn," a Question may- be asked, but a Debate on the matter cannot take place. In this case a Member asked the reason for objecting to a Return asked for. Cf. Adjournment. Vol. 3, p. 966.— April 7, 1892. Relevancy of Debate. The discussion on the Adjournment must be strictly relevant to the Question of the Adjournment ; and any importation of the Question of a particular Bill, or anything approaching the details of a Bill, or an Amendment with reference to a particular Bill, would be out of order. No Amendment can be moved to the Motion for the Adjournment. Cf. Public Business. Vol. 18, p. 449.— November 8, 1893. 4 ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. Amendment to Question: Relevancy. On a Motion " That this House at its rising adjourn until Thursday- next," an Amendment to leave out all the words after " That," with a. view to add " to-morrow Government Business have precedence over all other Orders of the Day," is out of order as irrelevant. Cf. Adjournment (Derby Day). Vol. 344, p. 1890.— June 3, 1890. To Discuss " Definite Matter of Urgent Public Importance." The question whether a matter is one of urgent public importance is- within the discretion of Members who may choose to support the pro- posal of the Member moving the Adjournment. Cf. Adjournment of the House. Vol. 9, p. 840.— March 2, 1893. Personal Explanation. Leave must be first asked to make the Motion before a Member can make a personal explanation in regard to the step he is taking. Cf . Naval and Military Forces of the Crown at Hull. Adjournment of the House. Vol. 11, p. 118.— April 12, 1893. Matter to he Discussed. If a subject has not been discussed it is competent to bring it forward on the Motion for Adjournment. But the House must judge of the cir- cumstances when Mr. Speaker asks the House to give leave to bring on the matter. In this case notice had been given that on the Vote on Account attention would ha drawn to a Question, and this not having been done on the Vote on Account Mr. Speaker is asked if it can be considered a matter of urgent public importance, when Mr. Speaker expressed himself iit supra. Cf. Crime in Ireland. Motion for Adjournment. Vol. 12, p. 1771.— June 1, 1893. Division on Question. If more than ten but less than forty members rise in their places an hon. Member can claim a division, and then the House will decide on the Question being put whether or not the Motion should be made. The Speaker cannot call upon the hon. gentlemen who call "Aye" to stand in their places. In claiming a division, if more than ten but less than forty have risen in the first instance, the Member is acting under the Standing Order. Cf. Deptford Victualling Yard. Vol. 13, pp. 907-8.— June 13, 1893. Motion Declined by Mr. Speaker. An hon. Member seeking to move the Adjournment of the House, to call attention " to a definite matter of urgent public importance," namely, the conduct of Her Majesty!s Government in the management of the ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. 5 Business of th.e House, and in withholding from the House a statement lof the intentions of the Government as to the course of Business on the day on which it had been announced that a statement would be made on that subject. Mr. Speaker — " I cannot put that Motion. I consider that the subject is not a ' definite subject of urgent public importafice,' and I shall decline to put the Motion at any risk to myself. I consider it is an abuse of the Rule of the House, a Rule which is not intended to be used for such a purpose as the Motion has in view Notice has been given that an announcement will be made of the arrangement for Public Business, and to discuss the subject on a Motion for Adjournment would be to anticipate the announcement of which notice has been given." Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 345, p. 738.— June 12, 1890. If the Speaker holds that a Question is wanting either in definiteness or public importance he might take the course of not submitting it to the House. But ordinarily the Speaker leaves it to the judgment of the House whether the matter is really of sufiicient urgency and importance to justify a Motion for Adjournment. It is competent for a Member to alter the Motion which he has read, but the leave to move the Adjourn- ment of the House is granted on the understanding that the Member strictly confines himself to the Question and to the terms of his Notice. Cf. Adjournment of the House. Vol. 10, pp. 914-6.— March 23, 1893. Chsure. A Member moving the Adjournment of the House to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance, viz., "The neglect of the Govern- ment to take measures for the relief of Agricultural Depression during the present Session," and the Motion being supported by the necessary -number. After debate the Chancellor of the Exchequer claiming to move, " That the Question be now put" — Mr. Speaker assented, and expressed himself as follows : — ' ' I think it is my duty to make some remarks in regard to the fact that the Motion for the Adjournment of the House has received such a large measure of support in this House. I do not think that under the Standing Order of 1882 a Motion on a subject of this kind, having such a very wide scope, was ever contemplated. What I think was contemplated was an occurrence of some sudden emergency, either in Home ■or Foreign affairs. But I do not think it was contemplated— if the House will allow me to state my view — that a question of very wide scope which would demand legis- lation to deal with it in any effective manner should be the subject of discussion on a Motion for the Adjournment of the House, because if that was so we might have repeated Motions made by the Opposition of the day, not so much in the direction of censuring the Government for action which had been taken or not taken for bringing to notice some grievance demanding instant remedj', as in the direction of wishing to introduce legislation on some particular subject. That is not the purpose 6f Standing Order, t882, and would, I think, cut at the root of the Order." Cf. Agricultural Depression. Vol. 23.— April 13, 1894. Cf. also. The Indian Cotton Duties, on which occasion objection was taken, and Mr. Speaker's previous ruling referred to. Mr. Speaker ruled that the present was a case distinctly within the meaning of the point of order he had made, as it related to the recent imposition of a duty, and the case was, in Mr. Speaker's opinion, of urgent importance and of recent occurrence. Vol. 30, pp. 1285-6.— February 21, 1895. 6 ADJOUENMENT OF THE HOUSE. Anticipating Discussion. It would not be in order to move the Adjournment of the House to discuss a question which is the subject matter of a Bill on the Paper. Cf. National Flags in Ireland. Vol. 13, p. 641.— June 8, 1893. Of. also. Precautions against Cholera, in which case there were Motions on the- Paper which would give rise to the same discussion as that under the Motion for- Adjournment sousht to be made. Vol. 14, p. 689.— July 3, 1893. Cf. also. Protection of Banks. Ibid., p. 367.— June 29, 1893. If there is a Motion on the Paper in reference to a certain subject, even though no day is fixed therefor, it acts as a block against Moving the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing the same subject. Cf. Indian Cantonments. Vol. 17, pp. 1579-80.— September 19, 1893. Relevancy. A Member having obtained leave to move the Adjournment of the- House to call attention to a definite subject must keep closely thereto. Cf. Famine in India. Vol. 2.— March 10, 1892. Cf. also. Financial Relations (England, Ireland, and Scotland) Committee. Vol. 3, p. 456.— March 31, 1892. If the House has decided that a matter should not be brought forward, as one of urgent public importance a Member having obtained leave of the House on a subsequent occasion to move the Adjournment of the House is precluded from going into that Question. Nor is it competent to diverge from the subject in respect of which the House has granted, leave, and to speak on the general Question connected with the particular matter. Nor would it be competent to move a further Adjournment, as it would not be regular to bring up another subject on the same day. It is- only competent to bring before the House each day one Question asking the House to adjourn for the purpose of discussing a matter of urgent: public importance. Cf. Labor Dispute at Hull. Motion for Adjournment. Vol. 11, pp. 458-9.— April 17, 1893. On a Motion for the Adjournment of the House to discuss a definite- matter of urgent public importance (in this case disturbances in certain, colliery districts) it is not competent to discuss foreign matter (in this case the general policy of arbitration or any policy of that kind in Bills before the House). Cf. Adjournment. Colliery Disturbances. Vol. 17, pp. 671-2, 6.— September 8, 1893. The Derby Day. By the consent of the House, and as an exception to the general rule, it has been thought competent for a private Member, at half-past four, to make a motion for the Adjournment of the House over the Derby Day. Cf. Sittings and Adjournment of the Houte. The Derby Day. Vol. 306, p. 34.— May 25, 1886. ADJOUENMENT OF THE HOUSE. 7 Precedence is given to a Motion for the Adjournment of the House, although the Motion be made by a private Member, similarly as to Motions by Ministers at the commencement of Public Business. Cf. Adjoumment (Derby Day). Vol. 383, p. 1082.— May 26, 1891. Amendment. The Motion for the Derby Day Adjournment has, for the convenience of the House, a special precedence attached to it. It is not in order to move a "reasonable" Amendment as a reason why the Motion should not be granted. It would be dragging the House into the discussion of a Question utterly irrelevant to the subject, and it might lead to a long debate on a question of general morality not exclusively connected with the Derby Day. Of. Derby Day Adjourmnent. Vol. 5, p. 224.— May 30, 1892. Moved hy Private Members. Up to the year 1878 it was the custom for the Government to make the Motion for the Adjournment for the Derby Day, but it has since been in the hands of Private Members. The fact of the Motion having been rejected one year is no reason why it should not be brought forward in a subsequent Session. Cf. The Derby Day. Vol. 12, p. 930.— May 15, 1893. Cf. also. Vol. 15, p. 43. -May 31, 1894. AMENDMENTS. Member Having Spoken — Incapable of Moving. A Member who has spoken on the Main Question cannot move an Amendment or speak again. Cf . Supply Beport. Vol. 2, pp. 1171-2.— March 17, 1892, and pp. 1201-2, March 18. Seconder Necessary. If an Amendment is moved it must have a seconder before it can be proposed. If there is no seconder it falls to the ground. Cf. Special Conunission (1888) Report. Vol. 342, p. 682.— March 11, 1890. Cf. Shop Hours Bill. Vol. 1, p. 1176.— February 24, 1892. Irregular as Intervening. When there is an Amendment before the House it is not competent to move an Amendment which would come before it. Cf. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 16, p. 902.— August 23, 1893. 8 AMENDMENTS. Withdrawal and Prior Amendment Proposed. If an Amendment is withdrawn it is in order to propose an Amend- ment in an earlier part of the clause to that which was touched by the Amendment withdrawn. Cf. London Streets Bill. Vol. 348, p. 691.— August 12, 1890. Temporary Withdrawal of, and Renewal. An Amendment which has been temporarily withdrawn to permit ■ another Amendment to be moved can be renewed if that Amendment be withdrawn. Cf. Directors Liability Bill. Vol. 345, p, 1262.— June 18, 1890. Putting the Question so as to Safeguard any Further Amendments. When there is an Amendment to a Question to leave out all the words after " That" in the Original Kesolution, in order not to exclude further amendments, Mr. Speaker put the Question " That the words " only down to a certain point " proposed to be left out stand part of the Question." Cf. Tlie Proposed New Closure Eule. Vol. 14, p. 366.— June 29, 1893. Relevancy of. An Amendment to a Question before the House must be relevant thereto. In this case, on a Motion " That this House at its rising do adjourn until Thursday next" (Derby Day Adjournment), an Amendment was moved to leave out all the vrords after " That," in order to add, "to-morrow Government Business have precedence over all other Orders of the Day." Mr. Speaker ruled that the Amendment was out of order as irrelevant. Cf. Adjournment (Derby Day), Vol. 344, p. 1890.— June 3, 1890. An Amendment is out of order which in a discussion upon one Bill refers to another. Cf. Police Bill. Vol. 347, p. 1660.— August 2, 1890. Cf. Sittings of the House (Supply and Ways and Means). Vol. 355, pp. 1432-3.— July 16, 1891. In this case when Motion was made to give the Committees of Supply and Ways and Means immunity from any Standing Order by which they might be interrupted, and to allow of their being entered on at any time though opposed. And a Member moving as an Amendment ' ' That this House regrets the manner in which the privileges of hon. Menibers are constantly being taken away, and by way of protest against such Motion dechnes to accept the proposal." Mr. Speaker regarded the Amendment as not relevant to the Motion. Original Words Left Out, and Proposed Amendment Negatived : Further Amendment. When a Question is put in the form that certain words proposed to be left out stand part of the question, and is decided in the negative (the AMENDMENTS. 9 -words being all those after the first word " That"), if the words proposed to be added be negatived, it is still competent to move that any addition be made to the word " That" which remains of the original Question. Cf. Parliament. Order of Business. Vol. 294, p. 1622.— February 27, 1885. Proposed Amendment Negatived: Further Amendment. If the House negative an Amendment by affirming " That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question," it is thereafter only competent to move an addition. But it is not competent to add words which have been already negatived. Cf. Local Taxation Incidence. Vol. 303, pp. 1707-9.— March 23, 1886. Prem,ature Amendment to Amendment. When an Amendment is proposed to a Question to leave out all the words after the initial "That" to the'end of the Question, w.'th a view to add others thereto, it is not competent to amend the words proposed to be added until the House has decided that the words of Original Motion be left out. When the Amenrlment comes to be the substantive Kesolution the further Amendment can be moved. Cf. The Times newspaper and Mr. Pamell. Vol. 341, pp. 118-9.— February 11, 1890. Cf. Address in Reply to Her Majesty's Speech, p. 723. — February 19, 1890. lEREGULAE. A Mere Negative. A mere Negative cannot be moved as an Amendment. A proposed Amendment which is merely an expanded Negative in another form is not in order. In this case the Government proposed to take the time of the hou. Members at an early period of the Session, and a Member sought to move an Amendment that this was inexpedient. Mr. Speaker ruled ut supra. Cf . Business of the House (Morning Sittings). Vol. 9, p. 456.— Feb. 27, 1893. Anticipating Discussion. An Amendment which raises discussion on a Bill on which Notice has already been given cannot be moved. Cf . Address in Reply to Her Majesty's Speech. Vol. 341, p. 762.— February 20, 1890. Reversing Decision. It is not open to any Member to move an Amendment inviting the House to depart from a decision taken. Cf. Standing Committee (Scotland). Vol. 23, pp. 997-8.— April 20, 1894. 10 BILLS— DEBATE ON STAGES. Similar to one disposed of. An Amendment substantially the same as one upon which the House has decided is not in order. Cf. Directors Liability BUI. Vol. 346, p. 1287.— June 18, 1890. SUPPLY COMMITTEE MOTION. Widrawal of Amendments. If a Member, having moved an Amendment to the Question for going^ into Committee of Supply, is prepared to withdraw it in favor of an. Amendment by another Member, it will be more convenient to take that course at once instead of waiting till his Amendment becomes the sub- stantive Motion. Cf. Treaty of Arbitration with the United States. Vol. 13, p. 1258.— June 16, 1893. BILLS. DEBATE ON STAGES. Leave and Introduction. A speech having been made in support of a Motion for leave to brilig in a Bill, Mr. Speaker can then only hear a speech against the Bill, not in support of it. (Standing Order 16.) Cf. Railway and Canal Traffic Bill. Vol. 23, pp. 224-5.— April 24, 1895. When Bills are introduced at the time of Public Business, Mr. Speaker can only allow an explanatory statement to be made on behalf of the- difEerent sections of Members. Cf. Irish Education Bill. Vol. 24, pp. 1199-1200.— May 14, 1894. Second Reading. Fixing Day for. On the question of fixing the day for a Bill, no discussion is in order except to show that it ought to be taken at a later date than that proposed. Cf. Established Church (Wales) Bill. Vol. 9, p. 287.— February 23, 1893. Motion for. When the Order for the Second Heading of a Bill is read, it is sufficient for the hon. Member in charge to raise his hat. He can then speak subsequently. Cf. Crueltyto Animals Act Amendment Bill. Vol. 290, p. 370.— July 7, 1884. BILLS— DEBATE ON STAGES. 11 Explanation by Minister. The Minister in charge of a Bill has the right of making an explanation in regard to his Bill when necessary. Cf. Compensation for Damages Bill. Vol. 302, p. 2012.— March 4, 1886. Postponement. The merits of a Bill cannot be discussed on a Motion to defer the Second Reading until a future day. Cf. Channel Tunnel Bill. Vol. 297, pp. 1677-8.— May 5, 1885. Cf . also. London Streets (Strand Improvement) Bill. Vol. 342, p. 851.— March 14, 1890. Cf. also. Public Elementary Schools Bill. Vol. 5, p. 814.— June 10, 1892. Discharge of Order. On the Question that the Order for the Second Reading of a Bill be discharged, it is not competent to discuss the merits of the clauses of the- Bill. Cf. Hyde Park Comer Improvments Bill. Vol 287, pp. 1451-2.— May 6, 1884. On a Motion to discharge the Order for the Second Reading of a Bill,, it is irregular to discuss the merits of such Bill. Cf. Southwark and VauxhaU Water Bill. Vol. 300, pp. 240-1.— July 28, 1885. Motion to Discharge : Adjournment of Debate. Motion having been made to discharge the Order for the Second Reading of a Bill, and a Member desiring to Move the Adjournment of Debate, Mr. Speaker does not know that he can put that Question. Cf. Merchandise Marks (Tiles) Bill. Vol. 24, p. 198.— May 2, 1894. Withdrawal. If an hon. Member, having moved the Second Reading of a Bill,, purposes to withdraw it, he cannot reply. Cf. Common Juries Remuneration Bill. Vol. 304, p. 210.— March 29, 1886. Relevancy. It is perfectly in order, in discussing a Bill which depends entirely upon the Report of a Commission, to refer to the evidence upon which the Commission were induced to draw up their Report. Cf. Evicted Tenants (Ireland) BiU. Vol. 10, p. 1450.— March 29, 1893. Money Clauses. Provisions imposing charges in a Bill involving charges on the Revenue are printed in italics, and technically form no part of the Bill, but the discussion thereon is not irregular. The Chairman in Committee would. 12 BILLS— DEBATE ON STAGES. not put any Question on those clauses unless the charges to be imposed by them were previously sanctioned in a Money Committee, and the Motion setting up that Comntittee could not be put unless a Minister of the Crown signified the Queen's recommendation to such charges being incurred. As the Government were not prepared to signify this recom- mendation the debate therefore is of the nature of an academical discus- sion, as no effect can be given to it, but the debate is not irregular. Cf. Labor Minister Bill. Vol. 24, p. 185.— May 2, 1894. Instructions to Committee. The Bill can only be discussed so far as it is affected by the Committee. A Second Reading Speech is not permissible. Cf. London Overhead Wires Bill. Vol. 350, p. 1822.— February 27, 1891. Comm,ittee Order : Discharge. On a motion to discharge the order for the Committee and to refer a Bill to a Select Committee, the merits of the Bill are not under discussion, and it is not in order to discuss them. Cf. Superannuation Acts Amendment Bill. Vol. 4, p. 1310. — May 19, 1892. Standing Committee : Reference to. After the Second Reading of a Bill, on the Motion to refer to a Stand- ing Committee, there is not the same latitude allowed as upon the ■Question that the Bill be referred to a Committee of the whole House. It is not competent to discuss the whole merits and principle of a Bill upon the motion that it be referred to a Standing Committee. Cf. Municipal Elections BiU. Vol. 287, p. 1870.— May 9, 1884. On the Motion that a Bill be referred to a Standing Committee, the debate must be limited to the Question before the House. Cf. Law of Evidence in Criminal Cases Bill. Vol. 287, p. 1878. — May 9, 1884. Grand Committee : Reference to. On a Resolution to refer a Bill to a Grand Committee it is irregular to discuss the number of Speeches made on the Second Reading. Cf. Employers' Liability Bill. Vol. 12, p. 208.— May 6, 1893. Consideration : Motion for. On the Motion " That the Bill be now considered " it is not in order to refer to the provisions of the Bill. Cf. Municipal Elections Bill. Vol. 289, p. 1711.— June 30, 1884. BILLS— DEBATE ON STAGES. I3. Consideration as Amended. On the consideration of the Bill as Amended it is not in Order to discuss the principle of the Bill or to deliver a Second Reading Speech. Cf. Local Taxation Duties Bill. Vol. 347, p. 1560.— August, I, 1890. Cf. Police Bill, p. 1681, and pp. 1688-9.— August 2, 1890. It is not competent to discuss the General Question of a clause on an Amendment to insert words therein. Cf. Eepresentatiou of the People Bill. Vol. 289, p. 1176.— June 23, 1884. When an Amendment is before the House it is out of order to discuss a proposal which is only adumbrated in the course of Debate. Discussion must be confined strictly to the Amendment immediately before the House. Cf. Purchase of Land (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 354, pp. 63-4. — June 9, 1891. It is unusual for long and elementary Speeches to be made or^ every Amendment. The remedy is in the hands of the House. Cf. Clergy Discipline (Immorality) Bill. Vol. 5, p. 505. — June 2, 1892. An hon. Member having spoken to an Amendment cannot speak again thereto. (N.B. — In this case a division had been taken on the Amendment.) Cf. Infants Bill. Vol. 291, p. 1328.— July 31, 1884. Consequential Amendments. It is impossible on a Consequential Amendment upon the decision the House has arrived at to raise the discussion again as if it were a new Question. Cf. PoHce Bill. Vol. 347, p. 1830.— August 4, 1890. Anticipating Debate. It is not in order, on the consideration of a Bill as Amended, to antici- pate a subsequent clause. Cf. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 15, p. 1448.— August 7, 1893. Adjourning Debate. An hon. Member desirous of bringing in a Bill moving the adjourn- ment of the Debate on an amendment in the Bill then under discussion, Mr. Speaker declined to put the question and explained : — " If any hon. Member is at liberty to move the adjournment of the Debate in order to bring in another Bill, the precedent would be a most serious one, as it ■would virtually give to the majority of the House the power to dictate the nature and order of the business which should be taken. As the matter is of importance, perhaps the House 14 BILLS -DEBATE ON STAGES. will allow me to say a few words. In 1887, if I remember rightly, the late Sir George ■Campbell moved to postpone th6 consideration of an Order of the Day for the purpose of considering some other Order of the Day which, in his opinion, was of more impor- tance. I then said that the motion was very unusual. I believe I should have been right in saying that it was almost unprecedented. Since then two Standing Orders of this House have been passed or re-affirmed — the one, No. 14, providing that the Orders of the Day shall be taken in the order in which they stand on the paper, with a reser- vation of some rights to the Government of the day ; the other. No. 12, on which I lay special stress at this period of the Session, is that after Whitsuntide Bills are to be taken according to the stage of progress which they have reached. It would be obviously unfair that Bills which have reached a more advanced stage should be put on one side for the benefit of Bills which have not advanced so far, and are not entitled to equal precedence under the Standing Order." And Mr. Speaker added that such a Motion for Adjournment would be out of order. It would be a precedent destructive of all arrangement of business, and might lead to serious consequences in after time. Circumstances might arise, justifying a Motion for Adjournment, directly affecting the proper consideration of the Bill. " For instance, if some discussion having arisen which evidently could not be finished for the want of information, or something of that sort, I do not think it would be competent, except under such circumstances as these, to defeat the two Standing Orders which I have referred to." Cf. Prevention of Cruelty to Children Bill. Vol. 24, pp. 1661-2.— May 30, 1894. Preamble : Unduly Extending Debate. A Member in the discussion upon the Preamble making what was objected to as a Second Reading Speech, and appeal being made to the Chair. Mr. Speaker — On Report the whole Bill is open to review. . . I am bound to say that a Second Reading discussion upon the Report stage seems to me extending the limits of discussion upon Report to an unusual degree. But I cannot say that it is out of order, because the whole Bill is open to review. And at a later stage — An hon. Member is within his right in discussing the Preamble ; but it the whole Bill is considered it will be a violation of the Standing Order No. 40, which says "that when a Bill is brought up on Report the House do proceed at once to consider the clauses of the BiU without general discussion of the Bill as a whole. ' ' The Preamble is to all intents and purposes a clause and should be considered as such, and the discussion upon it should be as such confi.ned to it as discussion on a clause. And further — The hon. Member is now proceeding as if it were customary on Report to consider the whole Bill as Amended. That stage has been deliberately abolished by Parliament, and the hon. Member is only in order in discussing the Preamble as if it were a clause of the BiU. Cf. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 16, pp. 285-6, 293.— August 15, 1893. Re-committal to Insert New Specific Clauses. When a proposed new clause contains a good deal of the principle involved in the Bill it is very difficult to separate the principle contained in the clause from the principle in the Bill. After the Question of re-committal is settled the Third Beading will come up, and that will be the time to go into the general merits of the Bill. Cf. Directors Liability Bill. Vol. 346, p. 575.— July 2, 1890. BILLS-DEBATE ON STAGES. 15 Third Reading. Explanation. A long debate having taken place on a matter not then before the House, viz., a clause which had been withdrawn from the Bill, and objection being taken — Mr. SpeaJrer explained that he Had allowed the discussion so as to permit of personal e:rplanations, and that then a question had arisen as to the circumstances under which a, clause was withdrawn. But a discussion on the suhj'ect-matter of the withdrawn clause was unnecessary. Of. London County Council (General Powers) Bill. Vol. 5, p. 437.— June 2, 1892. Lords' Amendments. It is not the proper Parliamentary course to refer at length to debates in another place, but it may be necessary to refer in some form to a statement upon which an Amendment has been founded. Cf. Tithe Rent-Charge Recovery BUI. Vol. 351, p. 1600.— March 19, 1891. On the Question " That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment " it is not competent to discuss generally the Lords' Amendments nor to refer to proceedings in the House of Lords. Debate must be confined to the particular Motion before the House. Cf. Local Government (England and Wales) Bill. Vol. 21, pp. 1161-3.— March 1, 1894. APPROPRIATION BILL. The matter discussed must be relevant to the Appropriation. Cf. Consolidated Fiiud (Appropriation) Bill. Vol. 309, pp. 1326-7.— September 22, 1886. On the Appropriation BiU it is not in order to discuss the provisions of another Bill. Cf. Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill. Vol. 348, p. 1171.— August 15, 1890. Second Reading. It is out of order upon the Second Reading of the Appropriation BiU to allude to the constitution of the House of Lords or to any action that the Lords have taken with respect to any BiU that has been before Par- liament, or to make any attack on the House of Lords, or to refer to any legislation for next Session. Cf . Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) BiU. Vol. 29, pp. 408-10, 415.— August 23, 1894. 16 PRIVATE BILLS— DEBATE ON STAGES. Committee. In Committee on the Appropriation Bill nothing except Appropriation, can be dealt with. In this case a Member appealed to Mr. Speaker to know if questions put to Ministers- and not replied to could be raised in Committee on the Appropriation Bill. Mr. Speaker remarked ut supra, but added that he was not in a position to_ answer that question. The better plan was to elicit the information from the Chairman of the Committee. Of. A Question of Procedure. Vol. 29, p. 423.— August 24, 1894. N.B.' — On an appeal to the Chairman, when in Committee, whether there was any opportunity of raising any questions at all concerning the Appropriation, the Chairman repUed, "Certainly not." Third Reading. It is very unusual on the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill to discuss the form of the Estimates. If a Member objects to the form of the Estimates he ought to have called attention to the matter before ; but Mr. Speaker cannot say that it is technically out of order to review the form of the Estimates which constitute the subject of the Consolidated Fund Bill. It is not in order to discuss money not in the vote. Cf. Consolidated Fund Bill. Vol. 10, pp. 1047-9.— March 24, 1893. PRIVATE 131LLS. Second Reading. Postponement of. On a motion to postpone the Second Reading the question of locus standi cannot be raised. A Member may speak as to the postponement, but not as to the merits of the Bill. Third Reading. Irregular Debate. It is irregular on the Third Reading of a Railway Bill to discuss the composition of a Committee which has not yet been struck. Cf. London and South- Western Railway Bill. Vol. 12, p. 442.— May 9, 1893. It is irregular on a particular Railway Bill to discuss the conduct of the Board of Trade with regard to all the companies in the United Kingdom. Cf. Manchester, ShefSeld, and Lincolnshire Railway Bill. Vol. 12, p. 610.— May 11, 1893. It would not be competent on the Third Reading of any particular Railway Bill to raise the general question of the policy pursued by a Railway Company. Cf. London and North-Western Railway Company Bill. Vol. 32, p. 1023.— April 6, 189.5. BILLS— PROCEDURE Ot{ STAGES. 17 Lords' Amendments. A general objection to a Bill cannot be taken at tlie stage of consider- ing the Lords' Amendments, after the House has entered upon their consideration. Cf. Great Western Railway Bill. Vol. 27, p. 791. -July 24, 1894. On the Question " That the Lords' Amendments be now considered," it is not competent to discuss the Bill. Cf. London Streets and Building BiU. Vol. 28, p. 1489.— August 18, 1894. BILLS. PROCEDURE ON STAGES. Preliminary Objections to. Same Question. Objection being taken to a Bill, for which leave was moved, that it dealt with a Question already decided by the House on another measure — Mr. Speaker said that he could not give a decision upon that point without seeing the Bin. If the Bill was substantially the same as a Bill upon which the House had come to a decision it would be out of order ; hut if it referred to a clause in the BiU which had been decided in different ways at different times, then he was clearly of opinion that it would not be irregular. Cf . Parliamentary Elections (Medical Relief) Bill. Vol. 298, pp. 1590-1.— June 15, 1885. As Similar or Identical. An hon. Member asking leave to bring in a Bill to remove the disa- bilities of the Police in England in respect of Parliamentary Elections — objection taken that another hon. Member had given notice of a similar BiU as regards Ireland, although a BiU of the same nature relating to the two covmtries had already been brought in and rejected by the House, and Mr. Speaker is asked whether it was competent to bring forward these two Bills. Mr. Speaker— There is no objection to the Motion of the hon. Member on the ground of order. The Bill to which the hon. Member refers was not defeated on the Motion that it be referred to any Committee ; it was upon the Motion that it be referred to a very distant day. Of course it is for the discretion of the House whether there should be more than one Bill before the House dealing with the same auhjeot. Cf , Police Forces (Removal of Disabilities) BiU. Vol. 305, p. 1631.- May 20, 1886. Public or Private. On the Question "That the Tramways Order in Council (Ireland) BiU, Provisional Order (No. 2) BiU be read the first time" — Mr. Speaker is asked whether the Bill was to be regarded as a Public or Private Bill, there being some uncertainty on the point owing to what had occurred in the other House, and a great constitutional question might arise upon it. B 18 BILLS— PROCEDURE ON STAGES. Mr. Speaker said that the measure had heen treated as a Public Bill in the House of Lords. Cf. Tramways Order in Council Bill. Vol. 299, p. 1593.— July 23, 1885. Standing Order No. 194 provides that "All Bills promoted by the London County Council containing powers to raise money shall be intro- duced as Public Bills." The London Owners Improvement Rate or Charges Bill empowered the London County Council to levy a rate, and Mr. Speaker is asked if the Bill was properly introduced as a Private Bill. Mr. Speaker ruled that previous precedents did not apply, as they referred to a time when there was no County Council. There was no distinction between power to raise money and power to levy a rate such as this Bill empowered the Council to raise over the whole administrative area of the County of London — a rate now levied for the first time. Previous Bills promoted by the Loudon County Council were for a limited rate over a limited area, and for a limited purpose. The interests were too vast and the terms of the Standing Order too specific and stringent to allow of proceeding with the Bill except as a Public Bill . Cf. London Owners Improvement, &c., Bill. Vol. S, pp. 856-8.— Feb. 9, 1893. Cf. London Improvement BiH. Vol. 11, pp. 309-13.— April 14, 1893. In this case objection was taken to the London Improvement Bill being introduced as a Private Bill on the ground that it contained provisions for raising money by an entirely novel mode of taxation, which would give the County Council power to impose on the property of private owners a charge by way of mortgage on their properties which might be described as " The Betterment System." Mr. Speaker stated that the objection did not apply to the whole Bill, because there was no question that as a whole it need not be introduced as a Public Bill. The objection was based on the fact that a clause included a principle which ought to be the subject of a Public Bill, and ought not to be included in a Private Bill. There was an obvious distinction between the present Bill and The London Owners Improvement Charge Bill, where was a provision in regard to betterment by raising a charge over the whole county to be applied to the purpose of a limited locality. That, Mr. Speaker thought, was a principle which should be introduced only in a Public Bill, because the people on whom the charge was made would not either necessarily or even possibly be benefited by it. Mr. Speaker therefore ruled that that measure should have been introduced as a Public and not as a Private Bill. The question here was whether the clause (the 4:5th) does raise such a question as ought to be introduced- in a Public BUI. It was true that in the Preamble charges are made and estimates of specific improve- ments given, yet in the 45th clause there is only a general reference and no allotment of the charges to specific improvements. Under Clause 14 an arbitrator will have to decide whether the particular property affected is improved, and whether the increased charge shall apply to the property so increased in value. In Mr. Speaker's opinion the clause may be properly the subject of a Private Bill. If it is thought that the question of betterment is raised by the 45th clause, the course would be on a further stage to move to omit the clause, in which ease the House would be in a position to discuss the principle and its application, or if the clause is deemed too vague, and the specific charges not sufficiently hypothecated for specific improvements, the course would be to move an Instruction to the Committee that they have power to allocate the particular charges to particular improvements in the Bill. Under these circumstances Mr. Speaker did not think there was any objection to proceeding with the Bill as a Private Bill. BILLS— PROCEDURE ON STAGES. 19 Objection being taken that a Bill should have been introduced as a Public not as a Private Bill. Mr. Speaker ruled that any Point of Order should have heen raised before the Second Heading. If the Bill raised a question of public policy that is a question which should have been raised at the proper time, but a Question of Order did not arise now. Cf. London Building By-laws. Vol. 22, p. 1107.— April 2, 1894. On the Order for the First Reading of the London Valuation and Assessment Bill being read, an appeal was made to Mr. Speaker whether the Bill was a fit subject to be introduced as a Private Bill. Mr. Speaker — " In reply to the inquiry, I have to say that the question now raised is one of great importance, because it touches on the question of what should be the scope of, and the interests involved in, a measure introduced into this House as a Private Bill. I observe that this Bill in its Preamble professes to repeal certain specified Acts, and I have to observe that all those Acts were introduced into this House as Public BOls. It further proposes to amend and to incorporate the provisions in a Bill intro- duced last year, touching the Metropolis, which Bill was also introduced as a Public ^Ql. I am far from saying that liecause a Private Bill affects Public Bills and repeals Public Acts that that is always a fatal objection to its being introduced as a Private Bill. But we must consider the scope of the Public Acts which a Private Bill proposes to repeal, and in this instance the Acts proposed to be repealed are of such vast magni- tude, and cover such a vast area, that I think there are objections to the Bill being pro- ceeded with as a Private Bill. The Bill covers the whole of the Metropolis, and though it does not quite follow from all precedents that a Bill affecting the entire Metropolis must necessarily be introduced as a Public Bill, still I think that a review of these precedents will establish the conclusion that Bills affecting the Metropolis should as a Tule be introduced as Public rather than as Private Bills. There was, it is true, in 1S.57, a Thames Navigation Bill, which was introduced as a Private Bill; but, on the other hand, there was a Weighing of Com (Port of London) Bill in 1864, which was introduced, and properly so, as a Public Bill, seeing that it covered an area extending •over nearly four counties, and affected a population of 4,000,000, and also an extensive foreign trade. In the year 1889 the Coal Duties Bill was introduced as a Public BiU. I may here remark that when the Thames Navigation Bill was in the year 1881 introduced as a Private Bill, objection was taken on the score of the multiplicity and vastness of the interests involved, and the Private Bill was given up and was re-intro- duced as a Public BiU. In 1890, on the London County Council Bill, there was objection taken on the ground that certain clauses were thought to be too large to be included in a Private Bill, and they were expunged. If I am asked whether any olauses might be expunged from the present Bill, and the Bill so brought properly within the scope of a Private Bill, I should say that nothing of the Bill would be left, because the whole BiU is of such vast importance that it is impossible to separate the olauses. But more than that, this BUI contains clauses altering Acts which affect not only local rating, but affect also the basis of Imperial taxation. That is another very serious objection. Whether railways would be affected by the Bill is a moot point, but it is one which should be clearly discussed in this House, as to whether the altered mode of assessment of raUways would affect the status of railways within the Metro- politan area. I mention that to show that the interests involved are much more than local, that they cover Imperial taxation as well as local rating ; and if I am told that the Bill is a local Bill, I am bound to reply that it is local only in the sense in which a Bill that applies to Scotland or Ireland may be called a local BiU. I should say that the magnitude of its scope, the area touched upon, the interests implicated, are so vast that I think full pubUcity should be given to the BiU, and that it should go through all the stages of a Public Bill, and when it is placed on the Statute Book it should be accessible to aU, as in Public Acts, and not placed among those which are merely local and personal. On these grounds, therefore, looking to the magnitude of the area, the magnitude and multipUoity of the interests involved, to the fact of the repeal of Public 20 BILLS— PEOCEDTTEE ON STAGES. Acts, which have been themselves introduced as Public Bills, and looking to the great interest of the Metropolis, T think full publicity should he given to the Bill ; and, ia my judgment, it would be unwise and improper to introduce it as a Private Bill. In these circumstances, and for these reasons, which I hope I have not stated at too great length to the House, I have no doubt upon the matter, and am of opinion that the Bill ought to be introduced as a Public Bill." (N.B.— Bill withdrawn.) Of. Loadou Valuation and Assessment Bill. Vol. 30, pp. 706-10.— Feb. 14, 1895. Motion for Leave. After Adverse Resolution. It is not in order to move for leave to bring in a Bill in the face of a previous Resolution adverse thereto. The Resolution must be rescinded first. In this case a Member sought leave to introduce a Bill, inter alia, to- confer certain powers on the Board of Trade, the House having resolved that no such Bill should be brought in. Of. Eegulation of Eailways. Vol. 349, p. 1176.— January 27, 1891. Exceeding Order of Leave. In this case objection was taken that a Bill " To enable persons to be registered for the purposes of Parliamentary, County, and Municipal, Elections" contained provisions for reducing the residential qualifica- tions of electors, and for abolishing the rating qualification altogether. Mr. Speaker stated that, after examining precedents, he had come to the conclusion that all Eegistration Bills were very loosely drawn, and had almost uniformly con- tained enfranchisement clauses. The Eegistration of Borough Voters Bill, 1877, con- tained clauses with a distinctly enfranchising property about them, and though the- same point was then raised, the Speaker held that the Bill was correctly described as a Eegistration Bill. Under the circumstances the piesent Bill was in order and might be proceeded with. Of. Eegistration of Electors Amendment Bill. Vol. 10, pp. 937-9.— March 23, 1893. Exceeding Leave and Title. In this case leave had been given to introduce a Bill " To reduce the period of qualification for Parliamentary and Local Government electors, and to provide for the half-yearly registration of such electors, and to- provide for taking the polls at a Parliamentary General Election on one day, and to restrict plural voting at Parliamentary Elections and for pur- po.ses consequential thereon," and objection being taken that sub-section (/) of clause 3 proposed to enact that — " The time appointed for the meeting of Parliament may be any time not less than tvrenty clear days after the Proclamation," and that such interval had nothing whatever to do with any of the purposes for which leave was given to bring in the Bill, and that it was not consequential upon any of these purposes, and that the want of agreement with the Order of Leave vitiated the whole BILLS -PROCEDUEE OX STAGES. 21 of the proceedings, and that as the provision of the Bill referred to did not come within the scope of the title, and that the clause was no part ■of the purposes for which leave had heen given and was not consequen- tial on any one of them, the Order for the Second Reading must be 'discharged and the Bill withdrawn. Mr. Speaker — " The hon. gentleman is quite entitled at any time before the Second Reading of a Bill to call attention to what he may consider imperfections in its title as not conoeming the scope and purport of the BUI. I understand that the specific point to which he has referred is this : There is a sub-section of the Bill — sub-section (/) of clause 3 — which states that ' The time appointed for the meeting of Parliament may be at any time not less than twenty clear days after the Proclamation.' The hon. gentleman says there is no reference to this in the title of the Bill. I may say I have ■already ha.d considerable difficulty with the title of this Bill, and I will mention the point which has given me particular difficulty. It is with reference to sub-section {2) of clause 1, which enacts that — ' So much of any Act as requires that any person or premises shall be rated, or the name of any person shall be inserted in the rate book ■or any assessed taxes on poor or other rate shall be paid for the purpose of entitling a person to be a Parliamentary or Local Government elector, shall be repealed.' The ■question which was put to me privately, and which I decided privately, was whether this was within the title, inasmuch as there was no specific reference in the title to the rating clauses. I would say first that the title of this Bill is so specific that, having entered into detail, it would naturally cause comment as to why any particular detail has been omitted. In fact the very specific items mentioned in the title of the Bill necessarily call attention to what has been excluded from the title. I decided, how- ever, in reference to the case I have mentioned, that the rating clauses were intimately connected with the period of quaUfioation. If the period of qualification were shortened from twelve mouths to six months, or three months, that would necessarily affect the <[uestion of the rating clauses, and the question of the voter being upon the rate book. Now the hon. gentleman asits me, on another point, whether the particular question of the alteration of time between the Proclamation and the meeting of Parliament is included in the title. I am clearly of opinion that it is included in the title, and for this reason : The hon. gentleman will observe that the words at the end of the title are — ' and for purposes consequential thereon.' If the words had been ' connected therewith ' they would have no Parliamentary force or effect whatever ; but the words ' consequential thereon' make a considerable difference. The hon. gentleman will ask me why it is consequential, and consequential upon what? The period be- tween the Proclamation of Parliament and the meeting of Parliament has already been the subject of several distinct Statutes. As the hon. member has stated, the period has been fifty days, forty davs, and thirty-five days, and it is now proposed to reduce that time to twenty days. The reason for that period between the Proclamation and the meeting of ParKament was this : to give time for the writs to reach remote con- stituencies and to enable Members from all parts of the kingdom to meet here in sufficient time for the meeting of Parliament, and that they might be able to get here without undue inconvenience ; and, looking at the state of locomotion in these days, the period was fixed to enable specifically the Member for Orkney and Shetland to get here in time. It is enacted by Parliament that there should be a taking of the poll throughout England on one and the same day, and a much earlier day than heretofore. This does away with the necessity for so very long a period elapsing between the Proc- lamation and the meeting of Parliament. That I take to be the direct and particular reason why the period between the Proclamation and the meeting of Parliament is altered. There would be no force in maintaining the old periods of forty, fifty, or •even thirty-five days, when all the polls are held on the same day, because with a much shorter period than this it would be possible without inconvenience for all Members of the House to assemble at Westminster. Therefore I take it that the alteration of the period to twenty days is directly consequential upon the enactment that all the polls shall be taken on the same day. I should like to add that the title of this Bill is unduly specific, and that there is no necessity whatever in the title of a 23 BILLS -PEOCEDCJRE ON STAGES. Bill to enter into such particularities. AU that is necessary — and it is a much safer jrocess — is that ihn title of the Bill shall he in general terms and cover the general scope and purport so as to include all the subject-matters comprised in the Bill. In 1864 a Standing Order was passed which enacted that the admissibility of Amend- ments in Committee should be in future determined, not by the title of the Bill, but by its scope, and purport, and substance, and that any Amendments relevant to the- subject-matter of the Bill should be admitted without an Instruction, and if during Committee any alterations are made beyond thn title, then the title of the Bill could be amended. I have stated these facts to the House because a too specific and yet imperfect description may create considerable trouble in the event of there being left out all notice of particular clauses of the Bill. But in this case I think the pro- vision for shortening the period of the meeting of the new Parliament is within the- terms of the title, and directly consequential on the provision for the taking the polls- on one day. For these reasons I am clearly of opinion that the Bill need not be with- drawn, and that the discussions on the Second Reading may proceed." Cf . A point of Order (Period of Qualifications and Elections Bill) . Vol. 24, pp. 244-b.— May 3, 1894. Money Bills. Preliminary Objection to. In this case objection -was taken, on the Order for Committee being- read, that one clause (15 scU.) had not the necessary foundation, viz., the Resolution in Committee of Ways and Means. Mr. Speaker — " It is important that the Kesolution passed in Committee of Ways- and Means should cover exactly all the provisions of the Bill subsequently introduced, and the hon. gentleman has done right m referring to the importance of the matter, and also, 1 think, in drawing attention to that particular clause, clause 16. In my opinion, the original Resolution in Committee of Ways and Means, upon which this- Bill is founded, did not contemplate the extra imposition of duty which may he- involved by the operation of clause 15. Under those circumstances it will be neces- sary not to withdraw the whole Bill, as the hon. Member seems to contemplate, but, before we come to the clause, to go into Committee of Ways and Means, and adopt a new Resolution which will cover the particular clause. But as the hon. gentlemam has referred to the possibility of withdrawing the whole Bill, I may eay that in 1881, in the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill of that year, there were two clauses which, were not covered by the original Resolution in Committee of Ways and Means, namely, those which related to the Stamp Duties on the transfer of property and to- the Stamp Duty on the transfer of stocks and shares, and the consequence was that before considering these two clauses th« House went again into Committee of Ways- and Means and passed two subsequent Resolutions covering those clauses. Therefore, when clause Id is reached, the House will take no cognisance of it, unless a resolution of the Committee of Ways and Means authorising the additional duties imposed by the- clause has been pre-viously agreed to. It will be necessary for the House to go into- Committee ot Ways and Means and pass a Resolution that wUl cover the additional duties before the Committee can consider the clause." Cf. Finance Bill. Vol. 21, pp. 1200-2.- May 24, 1894. Objection being taken to a Bill (Second Reading) that it threw upon the Consolidated Fund a charge such as is contemplated by the Standing^ Orders which provide that there shall be a previous Resolution in Com- mittee. Mr. Speaker explained that in this case there was no extra charge on the Consolidated Fund, and that the charge in no year was increased beyond that authorised by law. (Bill read a second time.) Cf. Russian Dutch Loan Bill. Vol. 354, pp. 171-2.— June 11, 1891. BILLS— PROCEDURE ON STAGES. 23 In this case objection was taken that the Bill (Evicted Tenants, Ireland) provided that certain expenses should be charged upon the Irish Church Surplus. But as under the Bill payments must be made before the money could be charged upon that fund, it was contended the source of payment must be the Public Funds. The clauses, therefore, of the Bill proposing to make this charge should have been printed in italics. Mr. Speaker ruled that no new charge was imposed, as the Irish Church Temporali- ties Fund was within the disposal of Parliament already. Bills imposing charges upon the Irish Church Temporalities Fund had even been sent by the Lords to the House. On November 19, 1888, Mr. Speaker had given a full ruling, explaining in ihe case of the Land Purchase (Ireland) Bill why no Preliminary Committee was necessary. In 1 89 1 a Bill was similarly brought in without a Preliminary Committee, and though on con- sideration as amended a clause was inserted involving a charge upon the Guaranteed Land Stock, the sanction of a Preliminary Committee was not thought necessary. Because there was a clause in the present Bill making a charge on the fund it could not be maintained that it was a Money Bill. Cf. Evicted Tenants (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 10, p. U13. -March 29, 1893. Discharge of Order. It would be a very unusual thing for a Member who is not in charge of a Bill to move that the order be discharged. The same object would be obtained by the Member objecting, while it would still be left open to the House to decide whether it would like to go on or not. Cf. Public Business. Vol. 18, p. 449.— November 8, 1893. Unusual Delay. If a Bill is put down week after week, the Member in charge being absent, and his absence likely to continue, and no instructions given, the Bill is dropped and will have to be revived. Cf. Marriage Acts Amendment Bill. Vol. 354, p. 1528.- June 25, 1891. There is nothing unusual in keeping a Bill on the Paper. In this case Motion for leave to introduce a Bill had been on the Paper for a lengthened period, and objection being taken, Mr. Speaker ruled ut supra. Cf. Liquor Traffic (Local Control). Vol. 24, p. 914.— May 21, 1894. Introduction. A Bill may be brought in in accordance with a previous Resolution already passed, on which the Bill is based. Under such circumstances no notice is necessary. Cf. Egyptian Loan Bill. Vol. 298, p. 1296.— April 9, 1885. Titles. A Bill has two titles, a long title and a short. The long title is the governing title, and leave is given to bring in the Bill according to the long title. A Bill is quoted on the Order Book by its short title, for the 24 BILLS— PEOCEDUKE ON STAGES. purpose of convenient reference, the short title being that which is given it in the Bill itself. Cf. Evicted Tenants (Ireland) Arbitration Bill. Vol. 27, p. 423.— July 19, 1894. Introduction of a Second Bill in lieu of one before the House. In this case a Bill had been brought in on leave and read a first time, and on the following day Motion was made for leave to bring in a Bill precisely the same, but with its title altered so as to correspond with the provisions of the Bill, and Mr. Speaker being asked — " Should not the Bill brought in yesterday be withdrawn before this Bill is introduced?" Mr. Speaker — " No, that is not necessary. In due course the substitution will be made." Cf. Post Offire Act (1891) Extension Bill. Vol. 4, pp. 1783-4.— May 24, 1892. Cf. also p. 1927.— May 26. Second Reading. Anticipating Date. When a Member in charge of a Bill has left instruction that the Second Reading should be set down for a particular day it is an unusual course for a Member, although his name also appears on the back of the Bill, to move its Second Reading on an earlier day, though it is com- petent so to do. Cf. Municipal Registration (Dublin and Belfast) Bill. Vol. 354, pp. 1157-8.— June 20, 1891. (N.B. — Second Reading objected to and deferred.) Second Reading : Date of. When an hon. Member in charge of a Bill moves that the Order for its Second Readiug on a certain date be read and discharged, on the ground that the said Order was made on Motion of a Member not in charge of the Bill, the Motion will be agreed to, and the Member in charge will determine the date for the Second Reading. Cf. Vehicle Lights Bill. Vol. 15, pp. 871-2.— July 31, 1893. Government Bills and Private Members. It is competent for a Private Member to move a Government Bill. Cf. Crofters' Holdings (Scotland) Bill. Vol. 27, p. 1553.— August 1, 1894. Second Reading Moved by other than the Member in charge. An hon. Member moving the Second Reading of a Bill, and objection taken that his name did not appear thereon : Mr. Speaker—" When a Bill is an Order of the Day, the Bill becomes the property of the House, and it is competent for any hon. Member to move its further stage." Cf. Crofters Holdings (Scotland) Bill. Vol. 299, p. 567. — July 13, 1885. BILLS— PKOCEDURE ON STAGES. 25 The Second Reading of a Bill may be moved by any hon. Member, in the absence of the Member in charge, or of any of the Members whose names appear at the back of the Bill, it being an Order of the Day, and the Bill now the property of the House. Cf. Parliamentary Franchise Bill. Vol. 305, p. 363— May 5, 1886. Before Printing. The fact of a Bill not having been printed is not a fatal objection to its being read a second time. It is for the House to judge whether the fact should interfere with its further progress. Cf. Compensation for Improvements Bill. Vol. 289, p. 1834.— July 2, 1884. The objection that a Bill is not printed does not necessarily preclude the Bill being proceeded with. The matter is one for the determination ■of the House. Cf. Parliamentary Elections Act. Vol. 305, p. 1143.— May 14, 1886. The Question whether a Bill should be read a second time before printing and circulation is a matter for the House to decide. It is not one of Order. Cf. Army Annual BiU : Second Beading. Vol. 342, p. 1353.— March 20, 1890. It is not out of order, but there are strong objections to reading a second time a Bill which has not be printed. Cf. Fisheries (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 346, p. 1575— July 11, 1890. It is for the House to judge, in view of the circumstances, whether it is right to put down a Bill for Second Reading which has not been printed. Cf. PoUoe (MetropoUs) BiU. Vol. 22, p. 1379.— April 4, 1894. There is nothing out of order in an hon. Member in charge of a Bill discussing it, even before it is in Members' hands, but this fact would militate very strongly against the House coming to any decision upon it. Cf. Railway Bates and Charges Bill. Vol. 8, p. 1534.— February 15, 1893. Second Reading : Objections to Immediate. The Second Reading of a BiU only very recently in the hands of Members is an inconvenience, and an argument against proceeding with that stage when Members have an imperfect knowledge of its contents. But it is not a Point of Order where the Speaker can intervene. Cf. Places of Worship Enfranchisement Bill. Vol. 2, p. 376.— March 9, 1892. At a later stage of the Debate, on motion "That the Debate be adjourned." Mr. Speaker said under ordinary circumstances he should not consent to put the Motion for Adjournment, but he would do so in view of the short time which had elapsed since the Bill had been placed in Members' hands. — Ibid, 385. 26 BILLS— PEOCEDUEE ON STAGES. Objection. The Second Heading of a Bill, being an Order of the Day, the fact of an hon. Member objecting, on the Orders of the Day being read, to Motiont made and Question proposed " That the Bill be now read a' second time"^ does not prevent it from coming on. Cf. Army (Annual) Bill. Vol. 296, p. 366.— March 23, 1885. Postponement of. An hon. Member moving the postponement of the Second Reading of a Bill, cannot move its immediate Second Reading. Cf . Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister Bill. Vol. 303, p. 1769.— March 24, 1886. Discharge of Order. In the absence of the hon. Member in charge of a Bill it would be a very unusual course to move for the Order to be discharged. Cf. Oaths Bill. Vol. 299, p. 1865 July 24, 1885. Cf. also. Police Enfranchisement Extension Bill. Vol. 310, p. 1623.— August 10, 1886. It is unusual, and contrary to the practice of the House, to move the- discharge of the Order of the Day relating to a Bill in the absence of the- Member having charge of the Bill. Cf . Compulsory Purchase of Land Compensation Bill. Vol. 303, p. 1771. -March 24, 1886. Notice of Opposition. If a Member places on the I'aper notice of Opposition to a Bill, if he is absent at the time the Second Reading is moved, the Speaker puts the- Motion, and it is too late to object thereafter. Cf. Glasgow Corporation Police BiU. Vol. 30, pp. 1189-90.— February 20, 1895. The Twelve o'clock Rule. If a Bill is exempt from the Standing Order which prevents opposed- business being taken after twelve o'clock, Mr. Speaker will put the Question for the Second Reading and not that for the Adjournment of the Debate. Cf. Army (Annual) Bill. Vol. 10, p. 989.— March 23, 1893. (N.B.— On the subsequent evening, in reply to a Question, Mr. Speaker said " Only ten. minutes past twelve had been reached when a Motion for Adjournment was made, and I thought it was not a proper proceeding to move the Adjournment of the Debate on a question which, under a Special Standing Order, was reserved for discussion after- twelve o'clock, and I declined to put that question to the House." — p. 1062.) BILLS— PROCEDURE OX STAGES. 27 Amendment in Question : This Day Three Months. An Amendment on the Second Reading that a Bill be read a second time this day three months cannot be moved by a Member who has spoken on the Motion for the Second Reading. Of. Salmon BiU. Vol. 290, p. 1076.— July 14, 1884. Amendment : Resolution. It is competent for any hon. Member to move a Resolution superseding the Motion for the Second Reading ; but it is not competent to add words to the Motion that the BiU be now read a second time. In such a Resolution it would be competent to embody such points stated in the Schedule to the Bill as the Member may desire to refer to. Of. Anglo-German Agreement Bill. Vol. 347, pp. 743-4.— July 24, 1890. A Resolution as an Amendment to the Question for the Second. Reading of a Bill will, if carried, prevent the Second Reading. It traverses the Second Reading of the Bill. Cf. Employers' LiabiUty Bill. Vol. 8, p. 1961.— February 20, 1893. Amendment. Delaying Immediate Procedure. An Amendment to the eifect that, for reasons stated, " This House does not now proceed to the Second Reading of the Bill," does not destroy the Bill, which might be revived in given circumstances. Cf. i^ewfoundland Fisheries Bill. Vol. 353, p. 1244.— May 28, 1891. Reference to Select Committee. The Motion to refer a Bill to a Select Committee is made after the Bill is read a second time. Cf. Local Government Provisional Orders. Vol. 288, p. 1767.— June 9, 1884. A Motion to refer a BiU to a Select Committee after its Second Read- ing is not a Notice of the nature of an Amendment, and is perfectly in order. Objection having been taken that such a course could only take effect in a hypo- thetical case, Mr. Speaker ruled ut supra. Cf. Canal Boats Act Amendment Bill. Vol. 288, pp. 793-4.— May 19, 1884. If it is proposed to refer a Bill to a Select Committee, any hon. Member who objects must do so by challenging a division. Cf. Salmon Bill. Vol. 290, p. 1081.— July 15, 1884. ;28 BILLS— PEOCEDUEE ON STAGES. Postponement and Reference to Select Committee. An Amendment to put oflE the Second Reading of a Bill for six months must be disposed of before it is competent to move for reference to a Select Committee. (Jf. Eivers Purification BiU. Vol. 303, p. 1056.— March 17, 1886. Nomination of Select Committee. On a Motion to nominate a Select Committee on a Bill, it is competent to propose an addition to the Members of the Committee, but such an Amendment involves the postponement of the Bill. Cf. Hull, Barnsley, and West Eiding Junction Eailway and Dock Bill. Vol. 290, p. 1597.— July 18, 1884. Reference to Standing Committee. After a Bill is read a second time it is competent to move without notice that the Bill be committed to a Standing Committee (in this case, the Standing Committee on Trade). Cf. Eating of Machinery Bill. Vol. 24, p. 745.— May 9, 1894. Amendment to Reference to Standing Com,mittee. It is not in order to move that the House resolve itself into a Com- mittee on a Bill this day month, as an Amendment to the Question that a Bill be committed to the Standing Committee on Law. An earlier day must be named. Cf. Intoxicating Liquors (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 353, p. 1166.— May 26, 1891. Attempted Withdrawal nf Bill on Reference to Standing Committee. There being a Motion to commit a Bill to a Standing Committee, and 1;he Debate thereon being adjourned, on the Order for resuming the Debate it is not competent to withdraw the Bill. Before it could be withdrawn the Motion must be withdrawn. Cf. Boards of Guardians (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 31, p. 1244.— March 15, 1895. Withdrawal of Reference to Standing Committee. If the Motion to refer a BiU to a Standing Committee be withdrawn in order that it may be referred to a Committee of the whole House, and the Debate for such Committee is adjourned, on the Order therefor being lead Mr. Speaker reminds the House that the Bill was in the position of having been read a second time without any Motion to refer it to a Standing or Select Committee, and he called upon the Member in charge to fix a day for Committee, and thereupon the Order for resuming the Adjourned Debate is discharged and the Bill committed for a subsequent day. Cf. Burials Bill. Vol. 31, p. 1140.— March 14, 1895. BILLS— PROCEDURE ON STAGES. 29" Reference to Hybrid Committee. When a Member desires to refer a Bill to a Hybrid Committee it will depend on circumstances whether Notice should be on the Paper. In this case the original proposition was to refer the Bill to a Committee, which^ haying heen discharged, was no longer in existence, and hence the present proposition was to refer it to a Hybrid Committee. Cf. London Improvement BiU. Vol. U, pp. 1287-91.— April 27, 1893. Committee for Proposed Money Clauses. A Bill being before a Select Committee, in which it is necessary here- after to insert a Money clause, it is necessary to pass a Resolution in Committee of the whole House for the purpose of sanctioning such a Money clause. This is a diflPerent proceeding from setting up an entire Bill, and is competent, although the Bill has been read a second time and is before a Select Committee. Until the Money clause is inserted the Bill is not a Money Bill, and may be blocked when it comes back from the Select Committee. Cf. Post Office Sites. Resolution. Vol. 297, pp. 137-8.— April 20, 1885. Amendments : Premature Notice of. It is somewhat irregular and inconvenient to give notice of an Amend- ment, to be moved on the Committee stage of a Bill, before the Bill has been read a second time. Such a Notice will not appear on the Paper until the BiU reaches the proper stage. Cf. Order. Motions and Questions. Amendments. Vol. 294. p. 433.— Decemher 2, 1884. Committee: Notice of Amendment. — Irregular. A Member giving notice that on the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill he would move to leave out certain clauses, and objection being taken that each Bill as a whole must either be included or excluded : Mr. Speaker said — " The question wiU arise in Committee, but I entertain grave doubts as to the regularity of the course suggested." Cf. Illiterate Voters. Vol. 16, p. 1586.— August 31, 1893. Next Sitting of Committee. It is for the Member in charge of the Bill to appoint the date when the Bill wiU be taken (Progress reported), unless the House should other- wise decide. Cf. Rating of Machinery BUI. Vol. 3, p. 1039.— April 8, 1892. Discharge of Committee Order and Reference to Standing Committee. In this case the House had gone into Committee, and Progress had been (technically) reported, though no progress actually- made, and notice 30 BILLS— PROCEDURE ON STAGES. had been given to refer the Bill to a Standing Committee. The pro- cedure being questioned was allowed by Mr. Speaker. Cf. Business of the House. Vol. i, pp. 191-3.— May 5, 1892. Progress Reported. If the House has gone into Committee on a Bill, the Chairman of Committees must report something. He reports " Progress," although no progress has actually been made. It is a technical expression. Of. Business of the House. Vol. i, p. 193.— May 5, 1892. Consideration as Amended. Objection to. A Bill appearing amongst the Orders of the Day for consideration as amended. Objection taken that, as the Bill had not been amended, it could not come before the House under the stage of a Bill to be considered as amended. Mr. Speaker — "The stage has not been abolished, although there has been no Amendment to the Bill." Cf. Municipal Voters (Relief) Bill. Vol. 295, pp. 1044-5.— March 13, 1886. Amendments on Consideration : Orders and Rules as to. Amendments on clauses will be taken in the order in which they stand in relation to the clause. If — an Amendment being before the Chair — another Amendment is sought to be proposed, the first Amendment must be withdrawn. Cf. Representation of the People Bill. Consideration. Vol. 289, pp. 1163-4, 1186.— June 23, 1884. Cf. also. Parliament. Business of the House. Ibid, p. 667. — June 17, 1884. An Amendment cannot be moved in an earlier part of a Bill than that to which an Amendment has already been proposed, unless the later Amendment be withdrawn. An hon. Member can move an Amendment standing in the name of another hon. Member. Amendments to a new clause cannot be objected to as in effect Amend- ments to an earlier part than that already amended, on the ground of the place the new clause must occupy in the Bill, at a time when the place of the new clause in the Bill has not yet been determined. Cf. Medical Relief Disqualification, &c.. Bill. Vol. 299, pp. 1656-7.— July 23, 1885. Cf. also. Criminal Law Amendment Bill. Vol. 300, pp. 1389-90.— August 6, 1885. A clause cannot be amended when the House has passed the point at which the Amendment is proposed to be inserted. Cf. Infants Bill. Vol. 291, p. 1023.— July 30, 1884. BILLS— PEOCEDURE ON STAGES. 31 An Amendment must be coherent. Cf. Parliamentary Elections (Redistribution) Bill. Where Amendment was proposed in Schedule 4 (New Boroughs) to insert " Royal 'University of Ireland— two Members" — Mr. Speaker ruled that the Amendment was out of order, as the Royal University was Tiot a borough. Vol. 297, p. 1071.— April 29, 1885. An Amendment declaring that the operation of an Act shall be from the date of its passing, after a later date has been fixed therefor, cannot be moved at so late a stage as the consideration. Cf. Directors' Liability Bill. Vol. 345, p. 1906.— June 25, 1890. An Amendment which raises a point already discussed and disposed of is out of order. Cf. Purchase of Land (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 353, p. 1656.— June 4, 1891. Cf. also. Same Bill. Vol. 354, pp. 187-9.— June 11, 1891. Cf. also. Finance Bill. Vol. 26, p. 1590.— July 13, 1894. An Amendment to include in a Schedule that which the House has already negatived is out of order. In this case an Amendment had been under consideration to provide for the recovery of costs as well as the tithe in the County Court, and an Amendment thereto had been proposed to the effect that the costs should be "according to the Schedule." The House negatived that proposal ; negatived, therefore, the inclusion of costs in the Schedule. A subsequent amendment to include " total costs and charges in the Schedule" was ruled out of order, the House having negatived a Schedule of costs and fees. Cf. Tithe Rent Charge Recovery Bill. Consideration as amended. Vol. 350, pp. 355-7.— February 10th, 1891. And subsequently Mr. Speaker explained that the Schedule, being one exclusively of fees, could not be amended to include costs associated with fees, but an Amendment to limit the amount of fees would be in order, though it could not be included in the Schedule. Ibid. 357. An Amendment to alter the constitution of a body established by a previous Act in a Bill strictly confined to a special purpose is a proposal outside the scope of the Report stage, and could not be made without a Te-committal and an instruction to the Committee. Cf. Purchase of Land (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 354, pp. 176-8.— June 11, 1891. Amendments which do not hinge in any way upon a Bill cannot be put. Cf. Elementary Education BiU. Vol. 356, p. 573.— July 7, 1891. An Amendment dealing with a subject foreign to the subject-matter of the Bill is out of order. In this case in a Bill to re-cast the Local Government of Scotland a Member sought to move an Amendment altering the existing law dealing with local elections and regis- tration, in fact attempting to deal with the Registration Law. 32 BILLS— PROCEDURE ON STAGES. Mr. Speaker ruled ut supra. Of. Local Govemment (Scotland) Bill. Vol. 28, p. 499.— August 9, 1894. An Amendment not arising out of the clause under discussion, but proposing an alternative scheme, mixing up new matter with that before the House, comes in more properly as a distinct Amendment. Of. Evicted Tenants (Ireland) Arbitration Bill. Vol. 28, p. 156.— August 6, 1894. Omission of Clauses. When an Amendment to omit certain lines in the Preamble of a Bill has been negatived, thereby giving sanction to certain clauses, it is not competent to move their omission. Cf. London County Council Bill. Vol. 346, p. 1087.— July 8, 1890. Amendments of the Nature of Money Clauses or Imposing Charges. An hon. Member seeking to amend a clause by increasing the penalty — Mr. Speaker ruled that it was not competent to move an Amendment which would have the effect of raising the money penalty. Cf. Criminal Law Amendment BiU. Vol. 300, p. 1502.— August 7, 1885. A clause dealing with expenditure cannot be moved on consideration with the Speaker in the Chair. The Bill must be re-committed in respect of such clause. Cf. Parliamentary Elections Bill. Vol. 306, p. 1460.— June 10, 1886. If it is desired to insert a new clause and Schedule of the nature of a Money clause, it is necessary to move to re-commit the Bill ; and subse- quently to move an instruction to the Committee to give the necessary power. Cf. Parliamentary Elections Bill. Vol. 306, p. 1606.— June 11, 1886. An Amendment creating a charge cannot be submitted with the Speaker in the Chair. Cf. Small Agricultural Holdings Bill. Vol. 6, p. 73. — May 27, 1892. An Amendment imposing an additional charge cannot be made on Report, but must be made in Committee. The Bill can be re-committed on Third Reading for that purpose. Cf. Local Government (Scotland) Bill. Vol. 28, pp. 422-3.— August 8, 1894. Cf. also. Same Bill. Ibid., pp. 591-2.— August 10, 1894. BILLS— PROCEDURE ON STAGES. 33 Notice : New Clauses. It is not in order to move a new clause without notice on the Question "That a Bill, as amended, be now considered." Cf . Revision of Jurors and Voters List Bill. Vol. 289, p. 1733.— June 30, 1884. A new clause cannot he proposed on consideration of a Bill as amended, unless notice has been given. A notice given to the Chairman of Com- mittees does not comply with the Rules of the House. Cf. Elections in Counties Bill. Vol. 295, p. 402.— March 6, 1885. Cf. also. Parliamentary Elections Bill. Vol. 306, p. 1618.— June 11, 1886. Moving : Rules as to. A Member cannot move a clause for another in the Report stage. Cf. Purchase of Land (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 354, p. 200.— June 11, 1891. Cf. also. Building Societies Bill. Vol. 27, p. 1605.— August 2, 1894. In the absence of a Member who has moved a new clause to which objection has been taken, the House may negative it if no objection is raised. Cf. Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Bill. Vol. 5, p. 162.— May 27, 1892. In moving a clause a Member must limit his arguments to the par- ticular clauses he moves. He cannot go over the whole statement of what passed in Committee. Cf. Cardiff Corporation Bill. Vol. 26, p. 671.— July 2, 1894. When a clause has been read a second time by an Amendment the paragraphs, if involving distinct questions, may be separated. Cf. Purchase of Land (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 353, p. 1477.— June 2, 1891. When the House has already decided upon what forms part of a clause, only so much of such proposed new clause as has not been decided upon can be moved. Cf. Employers' Liability Bill. Vol. 18, p. 834.— Novemher 13, 1893. It is not in order to propose new clauses which have been already negatived by the House. Cf Tithe Rent^Charge Recovery Bill. Vol. 350, p. 260.— February 9, 1891. Cf. also p. 370.— February 10. It is not in order on Report to move a new clause which could not have been moved in Committee without an Instruction. Cf. Tithe Kent-Charge Recovery Bill. Vol. 350, p. 260.— February 9, 1891. C 34 BILLS— PROCEDURE ON STAGES. iVeto Clauses and Amendments thereto : General Rules as to. A new clause requiring to be originated in Committee of the whole House is not in order. Of. Government of Ireland BUI. Vol. Ifi, p. U33.— August 7, 1893. A new clause requiring an Instruction to the Committee is not in order. Ibid., p. 1433. A new clause is not out of order because inconsistent with the Schedule to a Bill, and is open to discussion, and so much of the Schedule may be referred to as necessary to illustrate the clause. Ibid., p. U37. A new clause which would more properly be an Amendment to a clause is not in order as a new clause. Of. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 15, p. 1614.— August 8, 1893. Of. Also ibid., p. 1433.— August 7, 1893. Cf. Also ibid., p. 1618.— August 8, 1893. A new clause beyond the scope pf the Bill is irregular. In this case a new clause was proposed interfering with the Movement of the Militia and Forces of the Crown. These movements are under Statute, and there was nothing in the Bill giving power to the Lord-Lieutenant to assume military duties belonging to other persons. Cf. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 15, p. 1628.— August 8, 1893. In this case a new clause was proposed prohibiting Sunday elections. Mr. Speaker ruled the clause out of order, Sunday elections being already excluded by the Ballot Act. Cf. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 16, p. 190.— August 14, 1893. In this case a Member proposed a clause disqualifying persons found guilty of con- spiracy. Mr. Speaker ruled the clause out of order on the ground that it was ipso facto legis- lation, introducing into a Bill, which contained no other disqualification, a disqualifying section. It would require an instruction to make it in order. Cf. Government of Ireland BiU. Vol. 16, p. 257.— August 15, 1893. A new clause which deals with what is the subject of a distinct Statute, and which attempts in a particular Bill to amend the general law of the land, is not in order ; nor would an Instruction therefor be in order ; nor should a new clause deal with what should be treated in a distinct measure. Cf. Local Government (Scotland) Bill. Vol. 78, pp. 410-12, 418-9.— August 8, 1894. BILLS— PROCEDURE ON STAGES. 35 Objection being taken that, as an Amendment was built upon a Schedule not in existence, a new clause was not competent : Mr. Speaker ruled that a new Schedule could he brought in. Of. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 15, p. 1448.— August 7, 1893. A clause which refers to matter separate from, or separable from, that of a clause in a Bill can be brought forward as a new clause, and need not be moved as an Amendment to an existing clause. Of. Government of Ireland Bill: Vol. 16, pp. 91-2.— August 11, 1893. It is not competent to have an Amendment to a clause till that clause ihas become a substantive motion. Cf. Purchase of Land (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 354, p. 179.— June 11, 1891. Amendments to new clauses must be moved after the clause has been read a second time. Cf. Small Agricultural Holdings BiU. Vol. 6, p. 57.— May 27, 1892. An amendment to a clause moved, which amounts to a new clause, ■cannot be moved without notice. Cf. Purchase of Land (Ireland) BiU. Vol. 353, pp. 1449-52.— June 1, 1891. Cf. also. Same Bill. p. 179.— June 11, 1891. Amendment to Withdrawn Clause. A Member having an Amendment to a clause, which is withdrawn, -can bring up the words as a separate Amendment. Cf. Building Societies Bill. Vol. 27, p. 1643.— August 2, 1894. Consideration and immediate Third Reading. When a BUI has been considered, it is a matter for the House to allow immediately its being read a third time. Cf. Tramways and PuhUc Companies Act Amendment BiU. Vol. 290, pp. 371-3.— July 8, 1884. Report and Third Reading. A BiU must be reported before the Third Reading be moved. Cf. Trees (Ireland) BiU. Vol. 303, p. 1325.— March 19, 1886. Re-commitment and Third Reading. When all Amendments have been proposed, a day is fixed for the Third Reading. It would be unusual after Amendments have been made on consideration to move the Third Reading, and Mr. Speaker could only assent to that with the assent of the House. But it is in 36 BILLS— PROCEDURE ON STAGES. order to move that the Bill be re-committed, with a view to inserting a definite Amendment. If the Bill after re-committal be reported 'without Amendment, and the Third Reading be then moved, Mr. Speaker would put it to the House whether it is the pleasure of the House to take the Third Reading of the Bill now ? and, as the Third Reading could only be taken with the general consent of the House, it would not be in. order to ask for a decision. On a Motion to name a day for the Third Reading a discussion could take place. Of. Medical Relief Disqualification, &c., Bill. Vol. 299, p. 1673.— July 23, 1885. On Report without Amendment. On a Bill being reported without Amendment, the Third Reading caa only be taken by the general pleasure of the House. Cf. "Western Australia Constitution Bill. Vol. 346, p. 492.— July, 1889. Third Reading after Amendment. An Amendment having been made in the Preamble of a Bill, it would not be proper to proceed at once to read it a third time. Cf. Jurors Detention Bill. Vol. 306, p. 781.— June 1, 1886. When a Bill has been amended on the Report stage, if the Question for the Third Reading immediately thereafter is objected to, it must stand over to a future day. Cf. Penal Servitude Bill. Vol. 354, p. 1626. — June 25, 1891. Re-committal on Third Reading. When the Order for the Third Reading is read, if Motion is made to re-comrait the Bill, the Bill must stand over to the morrow. Cf. Ramsden Estate Bill. Vol. 300, p. 1036.— August 4, 1885. Cf. Also Tithe Rent- Charge Recovery Bill. Vol. 350, p. 345.— Fehruary 10, 1891. If a Motion is made to re-commit a Bill in respect to a particular clause, and an hon. Member desires the general re-commitment of the Bill,, he can move to amend the motion so as to re-commit the whole. Cf. Infants Bill. Vol. 291, pp. 1014-15.— July 29, 1884. Amendment on Re-committal. It is quite competent to move to omit a later part of the Bill, although, such omission may make the Bill incoherent in view of clauses already- passed, as consequential alterations could still be made. Cf. Parliamentary Elections Bill. Vol. 306, p. 1670. — June 16, 1886. BILLS-PEOCEDURE ON STAGES. 37 Third Reading : Nemine coniradicente. The Question for the Third Reading of a Bill (Representation of the People) having been put and no dissentient voice reaching the Chair, the Prime Minister desired that it should be recorded that the Bill had passed its Third Reading nemine coniradicente. Mr. Speaker thereupon put distinctly to the House the statement that the Bill was read a third time nemine coniradicente, and to that statement no contradiction was made and no dissentient voice was raised. On a subsequent day objection was taken to the record nemine coniradicente appearing on the journals. Mr. Speaker, in stating what had occurred in the House, expressed his opinion that there was nothing in the Rules or Precedents to restrain the discretion of the House from recording a fact of that nature on an occasion of such importance, hut that if any hon. Member had dissented at the time when Mr. Speaker put the statement that the Bill was read a third time nemine coniradicente, the words would not have been added. Two Members claiming to have called " No " on the question for the Third Reading, Motion was made to correct the entry in the Votes by omitting nemine coniradicente, hut this was lost on division. Cf. Representation of the People Bill, Third Reading. (Entry in the Votes.) Vol. 289, pp. 1560-81.— June 27, 1884. Third Reading : Amendment to Question Negatived. If an Amendment, viz., to leave out the words " Now read the third time," has been moved and negatived, by the House resolving that the words stand, it is not competent to move thereafter " That the Bill be read a third time this day six months." Cf. Directors' LiahiKty Bill. Vol. 346, p. 687.— July 2, 1890. After Third Reading : Attempt to Amend. When a Bill has been read a third time it is too late to move Amend- ments. Cf. East London Water Bill. Vol. 26, p. 115.— June 25, 1894. PASSING. The putting of the question, after the Third Reading, " That the Bill do now pass" has of late years fallen into desuetude, and has become practically obsolete. Cf. Representation of the People Bill. Vol. 289, p. 1583.— June 27, 1884. UNUSUAL EXPEDITION. Objection to. The objection of a single Member to two stages of a Bill being taken at one sitting is not fatal. The question is for the decision of the House. Cf. Poor Law Guardians Bill. Vol. 293, p. 1707.— November 13, 1884. 38 BILLS-PEOCEDTTEE ON STAGES. Assent for. The general assent of the House, not the unanimous assent, is required when it is desired to pass a Bill with expedition through more stages than one. Of. Torisliire Eegistriea Act Amendment Bill. Vol. 294, p. 570.— December 3, 1884. Third Reading. If strong opposition is experienced towards a Bill, and permission is sought to read that Bill a third time on report without Amendment, Mr. Speaker would not, under the circumstances, allow the Third Reading to be taken. Of. Municipal Francliise (Ireland) BiU. Vol. 307, p. 160.— June 21, 1886. If a Motion he made to suspend the Standing Orders to enable a Bill to be read a third time and the Bill is opposed, the Bill will stand over necessarily till the next day of sitting of the House. Cf. Belfast Main Drainage Bill. Vol. 307, pp. 203-4.— June 24, 1886. Mr. Speaker is asked whether the Committee stage of a Bill, the report, and the Third Reading can all be taken on the same day. Mr. Speaker — " There is no report stage, as the Bill has been passed through Com- mittee without amendment. By the general consent of the House a Bill can be read a third time after it has passed through Committee. The objection of two or three yoices will not suffice to prevent a Bill being read a third time under such circum- stances." Cf. Statute Law Eevision Bill. Vol. 346, p. 1620.— July 14, 1890. Only by the consent of the House can several stages of a Bill he taken at one sitting. If there is the least objection the BiU stands over. In this case the Blind and Deaf Mute Children BiU was considered in Committee, reported with Amendments, and considered as amended. Upon the Question "That the Bill be now read a third time," Mr. Speaker's attention is called to the unusual course of taking Committee, report, and third reading at one sitting, at a time when Supply is not taken and the Appropriation Bill not reached. Mr. Speaker ruled ut supra, but no objection being taken the Bill was read a third time. Cf. Blind and Deaf Mute Children BiU. Vol. 348, p. 20.— August 6, 1890. It frequently happens, especially late in the session, and when urgency is in the nature of the case, that two or more stages of one Bill are taken at the same sitting. It is a question not of the leave of the House, but of the vote of the House, and may be decided by division. There is nO' fixed number of Members required. Cf. A point of order. Vol. 348, pp. 1148-9.— August 15, 1890. It is competent to read a Bill the third time on the same night that the report stage is taken, even when clauses have been inserted as Money clauses. Cf. Isolation Hospitals Bill. Vol. 1.9, p. 571.— December 5, .1893* BILLS -PROCEDURE ON STAGES. 39 LORDS' AMENDMENTS. Consideration Without Notice. An hon. Member moving that the Lords' Amendments to a Bill be taken forthwith, and it being pointed out that they are taken without Notice, and that hon. Members know nothing of them : Mr. Speaker — " I felt that objection myself, and it is only in consequence of the hon. Member in charge of the Bill having given public notice that the Amendments would be considered to-day at this time that 1 have allowed them to be brought on." And, subsequently — " I only allowed the Bill to be brought forward without notice when I found that the Amendments were not such as to caU for the attention of the House." Cf . Boiler Explosions Act Amendment Bill. VoL 347, p. 1040.— July 28, 1891. Printing of. The usual practice is not to print the Lords' Amendments. Cf. Army Annual Bill. Vol. 11, p. 1013.— April 24, 1893. Motion to Disagree. The general rule is to put the Motion that the House do agree with the Lords' Amendments. If an hon. Member desires to disagree to the Lords' Amendment, he should vote against the Motion. Cf. London Streets Bill. Vol. 348, p. 687.— August 12, 1890. It is not proper to move that the House do disagree with the clause as amended. The proper course is to vote against the clause. Cf. Tithe Eent-Charge Recovery Bill. Vol. 351, p. 1542.- March 20, 1891. On Motion made and Question proposed " That this House doth agree to the Lords' Amendment." Amendment proposed " That this House do not agree to the Lords' Amendment." Mr. Speaker — The Question is " That the House do agree with the Lords." The course for the hon. gentleman to take is to negative the proposition. Cf. Army Annual Bill. Vol. 11, p. 1012.— April 24, 1893. Disagreed to : Words Restored. If the House does not agree to an Amendment of the Lords to omit words, the words thereby restored are open to amendment by the House. Cf . Local Government (England and Wales) Bill. Vol. 21, p. 661.— February 18, 1894. Also February 26, when Mr. Speaker ruled that the original clause could be amended ; but such Amendment must be relevant to the Lords' Amendment to which the House disagreed, thereby restoring words. 40 BILLS— PROCEDURE ON STAGES. Amendments to. If an hon. Member desires that a Lords' Amendment be agreed to, subject to an Amendment, the course is first to move the said Amendment, and then that the Amendment as amended be agreed to. Cf. Trees (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 305, p. 1259.— May 17, 1887. If there be Amendments on the Paper to the Lords' Amendments, a Motion to disagree with the Lords' Amendments should not be taken until the Amendments thereto be disposed of. Cf. London Streets Bill. Vol. 348, p. 676.— August 12, 1890. If an Amendment is proposed to an Amendment of the Lords, a Member desiring to oppose the Lords' Amendment altogether can do so when the Motion is made that the Lords' Amendment as amended be agreed to. Cf. Tithe Rent-Charge Recovery Bill. Vol. 351, p. 1457.- March 19, 1891. An Amendment cannot be moved to an Amendment of the Lords after the Speaker has put the Question " That the House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment." Cf. Tithe Rent-Charge Recovery Bill. Vol. 351, p. 145C.— March 19, 1891. Motion to add words and afterwards to adjourn debate on question of agreement to clause till other amendments considered. It is a novel course to amend a Lords' Amendment, and then to adjourn the con- sideration of the particular clause till after the other Amendments are disposed of. But if the Motion is made by the Minister in charge, and meets with the general assent of the House, Mr. Speaker will not object. Cf. Tithe Rent-Charge Recovery Bill. Vol. 351, p. 1470.— March 19, 1891. Amendments to, in effect Negativing. If the effect of an Amendment to a Lords' Amendment is to negative it, the object will be gained by negativing the motion " That the House agree with the Lords' Amendment." If the Lords' Amendment is rejected an alternative proposition can be moved. Cf. Tithe Rent-Charge Recovery Bill. Vol. 351, p. 1768-9.-Maroh 24, 1891. Objection to as beyond Scope of Bill. The Lords having inserted an Amendment in a Bill to confirm Pro- visional Orders made by the Local Government Board of Ireland, relating to the method of fixing the water charge between Dublin and the townships upon the basis of population, and objection being taken BILLS— PEOCEDDRE ON STAGES. 41 that the Amendment related to a distinct and fresh matter, namely, the allowance per head of water, and to be not within the scope of the Bill, and should not be considered by the House. Mr. Speaker — ' ' It is within the competence of the House to agree or disagree with ■whiit the L' 'rds have inserted. There is nothing on the face of the Amendment to pre- vent the Lords from inserting it, or of this House discussing it." Cf . Loral Government (Ireland) Provisional Orders Bill. Lords' Amendment. Vol. 300, p. 1658.— August 10, 1885. Imposing Charges. An Amendment of the Lords, the effect of which is to increase a charge, is a breach of privilege. Cf. Elementary Education Bill. Vol. 356, p. 842.— July 30, 1891. Objection being taken to a Lords' Amendment that it raised a New Tax, dealt with the way in which it will be levied, and dealt with the question of compounding rates. Mr. Speaker ruled that such Amendment was an infringement of the Privileges of the House, and should be disagreed to Cf. Local Government (England and Wales) Bill. Vol. 21, pp. 686-7.— February 16, 1894. APPROPRIATION BILL. Motion for Leave : Reduction of Amount. On Motion made, and Question proposed for leave to introduce the ■Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill, an hon. Member sought to move to reduce an amount in the bill by the sum of £100. Mr. Speaker — " It would not be in orler to put the Motion. The Question before the House is that leave be given to bring in the Bill. The hon. Member moves to fltrike out an item ; but he cannot do that on the introduction of a measure." Cf. Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill. Vol. 309, p. 942.— September 18, 1886. Second Reading. It is not in order to move the omission of an item in the Appropria- tion Bill. The Bill is to appropriate the supplies already granted. Cf. Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill. Vol. 29, pp. 410-16.— August 23, 1894. MONEY BILLS AND APPROPRIATION. An Act having passed and received the Royal Assent, enacting that the proceeds arising out of certain duties on spirits and beer " shall be appropriated as Parliament may hereafter direct by any Act passed in the Session," and the Government proposing by Amendments in another Bill (Local Taxation Bill) to insert words which give a different meaning 42 BILLS— PEOCEDUEE ON STAGES. to the word " appropriate," by proposing to provide that the levies oid whisky and beer shall be locked up for an interminable period, and spent under an Act which may not be passed for years to come, the right of the Government is challenged to entirely change the meaning of the Act passed by fixing to the word " appropriate " a meaning of a totally different character : Mr. Speaker stated that the question was one of Constitutional interpretation rather than that of Order, and that the matter affected the Constitutional relations of the- House, and greatly affected the whole question' of Money Bills and Appropriation. The Amendment in the Bill before the House was to insert these words : — " May be- hereafter pro-vided by any Act amending the Licensing Acts, and, irntU such Act is passed, shall be invested and accumulated as provided by this Act." "Now, it is a very grave question whether those words do constitute such a specific appropriation aa the Budget Act directs. I certainly am not aware, in the comparatively short timg that I have had to examine into the matter, of any instance of a tax being raised and the proceeds appropriated to no particular authority and to no specific object, as is now the case, since the three clauses have been withdrawn from this Bill. It would be, I think, for the House to consider, as a matter of policy and interpretation, whether these words moved as an Amendment do constitute a sufficient appropriation of the sum raised and granted by the Budget Act, so as to come within what is undoubtedly the general principle underlying our whole law, namely, the appropriation of money t» a specific use within the then existing Session of Parliament, either partly or wholly. I say partly because, of course, there are permanent appropriations of sums extending over more than one year ; but, even in that case, a certain sum is specifically appro- priated to be expended within that year. It appears to me, on taking an impartial view of the subject, that if no Act was passed within this Session appropriating the- sums allotted under the Budget Act, it would be a very grave question whether the Treasury would not incur grave responsibility and grave liabilities in issuing any money or in issuing it to any bod)- of persons as Local Authorities. There would be, as I understand, no particular direction to the Treasury from this House to issuemoney, nor to issue it to any particular body of persons, inasmuch as the County Authorities will not have the money allotted to them. But it will be said the money will - be- accumulated. I confess, looking at the matter from a constitutional point of view, I know of no precedent for such an accumulation; and, though it maybe quite true that the fact of no precedent existing does not prove that the proceeding would be uncon- stitutional, I think it is eminently a matter for the House to decide whether it is ultra- vires or not, and whether such a course would be in harmony -with constitutional practice. It is a matter which will be justified in being raised as a question of policy, or even principle, both in Committee and, if need be, also on the Third Eeading of the BiU." ^ Mr. Speaker subsequently added that his ruling on this subject was merely a matter of opinion on a grave question of constitutional Jaw, not intended to bind the House or any portion of it. Cf . The New Amendment to the Licensing Act. Vol. 346, pp. 1799-1805.— June 2t, 1890. ' MONEY BILLS. Procedure on Stages. Unusual Expedition. It is not proper to take the Third Heading of a Money Bill on the same day as the Report stage. Cf. Barracks Bill. Yol. 346, p. 340. — June 30, 1890. BILLS— PROCEDURE ON STAGES. 43' A Bill, though a Money Bill, to -whose provisions the assent of the House is necessary under a Statute, is exempt from the rule prohibiting more than one stage being taken at a sitting. Cf. London County Council (Money) Bill. Vol. 347, p. 1649.— August 1, 1890. RESTITUTION BILLS. A BiU brought from the Lords is read a first time, and, in the case of a Bill for the restitution of honors, it may be immediately thereafter read a second time. Cf. Earldom of Mar Restitution Bill. Vol. 300, pp. 683-4.— July 31, 1885. PROVISIONAL ORDERS BILLS. It is customary to take Provisional Orders Bills at the time for Private- Business. Cf. Local Governments (Ireland) Provisional Orders Bill. Vol. 300, p. 1S58.— August 10, 1885. BILLS (SEMI-PRIVATE). Reference to Select Committee. If the Examiners report that the Standing Orders which govern' Private Bills are applicable, the Bill must be referred to a Select Com' mittee. Cf. Aldershot Roads Bill. Vol. 345, p. 807.— June 12, 1890. • PRIVATE BILLS. Standing Orders. An hon. Member proposing to move a series of alterations in reference to the Standing Orders applicable to Private Bills, and objection being taken to proceeding -with the consideration, Mr. Speaker is asked w^hether in view of the objection it was not necessary that they stand over. Mr. Speaker — These proposals do not come under the Standing Orders -which apply to opposed Private Bills. Cf. Parliament. Standing Orders. Vol. 291, pp. 1346-7.— August 1, 1884. Dispensing with : Blocking. A Motion to dispense with a Standing Order to facilitate a further stage of a Bill at a future time is not of force to block and cause the Motion to stand over till next day. The rule applies to Orders of the Day, Cf. South-svark and Vauxhall Water BiU. Vol. 299, p. 1616.— July 23, 1885. 44 BILLS— PROCEDURE ON STAGES. Petitions. It is not in order to present to the House a Petition relating to a Private Bill. Petitions against Private Bills are lodged in the Private Bill Office. Cf. Bristol Corporation Bill. Vol. 292, p. 87.— August 7, 1884. Procedure on Stages. Opposition to. When notice of opposition is given, a Private Bill must stand over until the foUovcing day. (N.B. — In this case Motion was made to suspend the Standing Order to enable a Bill to be read a second time, and an hon. Member desired to discuss it.) Cf. Earl of Devon's Estates Bill. Vol. 29 1 , p. 848.— July 29, 1884. Opposition to Proposed Clause. If a clause proposed to be inserted in a Private Bill is opposed, it must stand over till the next day of the sitting of the House, when a day shall be fixed for considering it. Cf. Belfast Main Drainage Bill. Vol. 306, pp. 186-7.— May 27, 1886. Second Reading : Amendment to. On the Order for the Second Reading of the London and North- Western Railway (Additional Powers) Bill, a Member moved — " That this House declines to consider any Bill to give further powers to the London and North- Western Railway Company until the said Railway Company has made arrangements with Her Majesty's Government to open a telegraph office for the public at each and every one of its passenger stations." Mr. Speaker — I do not think that the Amendment is in order. It proposes to introduce a q^uestion of general policy as an objection to a particular Private Bill when the company promoting the Bill are simply asking for further powers. The course which should be taken is to make a Motion for an alteration of the general policy applicable to all railways. There is nothing in this Bill which can fsiirly raise the question sought to be introduced. As a matter of fact it is irrelevant to any part of the Bill, and it would be impossible for the railway company to comply with the conditions sought to be imposed. The Amendment is not in order. Cf. London and North- Western Railway (Additional Powers) Bill. Vol. 352, pp. 1-2.— April 7, 1891. A Bill being in order objection cannot be sustained. Cf. Great Eastern Railway Bill. Vol. 32, p. 704.— April 2, 1895. Reference to Committee : Hybrid. When a Bill is committed, not before, is the proper time to settle what proportion of Members shall constitute the Hybrid Committee. BILLS— PROCEDURE ON STAGES. 45' In this case on a Bill being read a Second Time Motion was made to refer it to a Hybrid Committee of seven Members, when Mr. Speaker ruled ut supra. Cf. Belfast Corporation Bill. Vol. 1, pp. 1362-3.— February 26, 1892. If a Bill is read a second time it is referred to an ordinary Select Committee. It is then open to move the discharge of the Order for reference to a Select Committee and to move that the Bill be referred to a Hybrid Committee. It would not be proper to give notice, on the Second Reading, for such reference. The Member should at once make his Motion. Cf. Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway (Extension to London, &c.y ^'^- Vol. 1, p. 1772.— March 3, 1892. Consideration. Amendments. It is not in order to move an Amendment dealing with a portion of a. BiU which has been passed. But the Bill might be re-committed for the- purpose of dealing with that portion of it, on the Motion for the Third Keading. Cf . Tramways Orders Confirmation Bill. Vol. 28, pp. 119-22.— August 6, 1894. Procedure on Stages : Third Heading. The Third Reading of a Bill not being down by Order, Mr. Speaker ruled that if there was any intention to take a Division the BUI must stand over. Cf. Cambridge Corporation Bill. Vol. 24, p. 683.- May 8, 1894. Lords^ Amendments : Suspension of Standing Orders. When the Standing Orders have been suspended a Motion cannot, unless by arrangement, be postponed beyond the day fixed for taking^ the Motion. In tbia case the Dublin Corporation BiU having been returned by the Lords with Amendments, Motion weis made " That the Standing Orders be suspended and that the Lords' Amendment be now considered." (Saturday, August 9, 1890.) Objection was made to the Motion being proceeded with on the grounds that there was an understanding that it would be taken on Monday, and Mr. Speaker ruled that if the Motion be objected to it would not then be taken. On the other hand it was urged that the Motion was placed on the Paper to enable it to be moved that the BiU. be taken into consideration on Monday, there being no intention to take it to-day. Mr. Speaker is thereupon asked whether there is any danger whatever in the Motion, if fixed for Monday, being passed over on that day, and whether it would be an unchangeable Order ? Mr. Speaker — "According to the Standing Orders the Motion cannot, unless by arrangement, be postponed beyond Monday." Mr. Sexton — "Then I apprehend that, unless by arrangement, it cannot be further postponed?" •46 BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. Mr. Speaker— " That is so." (Objection being taken, further proceedings stood adjourned till Monday next.) Of. Dublin Corporation Bill. , Vol. 348, pp. 365-6.— August 9, 1890. BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. Adjournment : Place of on Paper. Objection being taken that the Motion for Adjournment had been introduced on the Paper in the middle of the Orders of the Day — Mr. Speaker explained that, by the Standing Order of 1888, the Government is .allowed to arrange its business, whether Orders of the Day or Notices of Motion, as ■they think fit. The Motion could not be proceeded with, though unopposed and taken at ten minutes to seven. Cf. A point of order. Vol. 5, p. 561.— June 3, 1892. Appropriation Bill : Precedence of. In this case it was asked that the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill should be put down first on Wednesday, before Private Members' Bills, and Mr. Speaker is asked whether it is according to precedent that there should be a discussion on the Second Reading before Private Members' Bills came on for discussion on Wednesday. Mr. Speaker stated that the stage of the Appropriation Bill had to be put down before the Private Members' Bills. Whether ihere was a discussion was a matter for the House. Cf. Ways and Means. Consolidated Fund Bill. Vol. 10, p. 730.— March 21, 1893. Arrangement of Bills. When the House has resolved that a Bill be set down for a particular day, and agreed to a Resolution with regard to that day, a Member can- not move a proviso excepting the Bill from the Resolution. Cf. Business of the House. Government Business. Vol. 354, pp. 433-4.— June 16, 1891. Balloting for Bills, Sfc. A question arising whether -the time of the House could be economised "by taking the ballot for Notices of Private Members' Bills, and the formal presentation of such Bills in some other manner than that hitherto .customary — Mr. Speaker expressed himself to the effect that there would be no difficulty in the first stage, that of the ballot, for the introduction of Bills. The ballot might take place outside the House, thereby saving from one to two hours of the time of the House. With regard to the question of extending this arrangement to the Motion for Xeave and the First Reading of Bills, when the date is named for the Second Read- ing the date of the Second Reading should be fixed in the open House. The proceed, ings on the Order of Leave and the First Reading are each the ace of the House, and BUSINESS OF THE HOUIsE. 47 ■the Speaker is bound by the Standing Orders. It is very important for hon. Members who wish to choose a clear day to know what date has been fixed for the Second Read- ing of Bills appointed before their own is called on, and the utmost publicity should be given to that fact. Subject to the approval of the House, Mr. Speaker proposed to •carry out the first part of the arrangement, which could be done in a Committee room upstairs, where a sufficient staff could attend to carry out what Mr. Speaker understood to be the wish of the House. Of. New procedure for Private Members' Bills. Vol. 21, pp. 1042-3.— February 26, 1894. And, on a subsequent day, Mr. Speaker submitted to the House the Regulations be bad drafted, as follows : — " That to save the time of the House the ballot at the commencement of next Session, to determine the precedence of Notices to bring in Bills, other than Govem- ani^nt Bills, shall be held on the second day of the Session instead of the first, in Grand Committee Room E, at noon. Members are reminded that only those Notices which have been handed in at the table during the sitting of the House on the first day of the Session will be entitled to be included in the first ballot to be held. It is proposed to print with the Votes the Notices for Bills handed in on the first day, so that all that will have to be settled by the baUot will be the order inter ae in which the Motions for BOls are to appear on the third day of Session, when the introduction, First Reading, *nd appointing a day for the Second Reading, on the Motion of the Member in charge of the BUI, will take place with the Speaker in the Chair as heretofore. The ballot for Notices (other than for Bills) for the first four Tuesdays will take place in the House as usual. Members are reminded that until the Committee of Supply is set up at the conclusion of the Debate on the Address no Notices can be received for Friday on Supply." Ibid., pp. 1129-30.— March 1, 1894. Count Out : Bills, Bills wbich are not reached become blocked. Orders are put ofi till next day. Of. Adjournment. Vol. 14, p. 1252.— July 10, 1893. Bills : Private Members : Arrangement. If Motion for Adjournment is made so soon as Government Business is disposed of, Private Bills which were on the Paper below Government Bills are promoted from day to day. At the commencement of business — after the Private Business is disposed of at the commencement of the Sitting — an hon. Member can defer his Bill to a later date. Cf. Private Members' Bills. Vol. 17, p. 1264.— Sept. 15, 1893. Bills : Resumption of Com,mittee. When progress has been reported it is for the Member in charge of the Bill to appoint the date when the Bill shall be taken, unless the House shovdd decide otherwise. Cf. Rating of Machinery BOl. Vol. 3, p. 1039.— April 8, 1892. 48 BUSINESS OF THE . HOUSE. Black Rod: Interruption hy. Objection being taken to the inopportune intervention in the Business- of the House by the entrance of Black Rod. Mr. Speaker undertook to see what arrangement could be made in future. Of. The Interrention of Black Rod. Vol. 334, p. 170.— June 11, 1891. Blocking : Obstruction. Mr. Speaker's attention is called to the fact of thirty-four Bills being^ blocked by one Member, and is asked whether this does not come within the Rule as to the obstruction. Mr. Speaker — "I may say that I am not of opinion that the blocking of Bills, even on the scale referred to by the hon. gentleman, would bring the Member who should, indulge in that practice within the penalties imposed hy the Standing Orders for ' persistently and wilfully obstructing the business of the House." At the same time I am bound to say that a wholesale system of throwing obstacles in the way of Bills, not out of consideration for the merits or demerits of such Bills, but from a desire to prevent the several Bills themselves from being discusstd, is, in my opinion, a violation of the spirit of the Eule, and ought to be very much deprecated. But ] think it is for the House itself to decide whether the abuse, if it be deemed to be an abuse, has reached such a point as that a remedy ought to be applied in this stage, in order to remove it. I cannot myself but think that the spirit of the Rule is violated, when, not only is a Eule which was intended for the promotion of the course of legislation- turned into a means of obstructing legislation, but also into a means of withdrawing Bais from the consideration of the House, and thus limiting the discretion of the House itself in dealing with them. As I have stated, the matter is one which rests with the House itself; and it will be for the House to judge whether the abuse is of such a nature as to require a remedy. Cf. Parliament. New Rules of Procedure. Vol. 286, pp. 891-2.— March 27, 1884. Dropped Orders f Friday Sittings). An Order on the Paper, if it is not reached before 1 o'clock, becomes- a Dropped Order unless instructions are given to the Clerk at the Table. Cf. A Dropped Order. Vol. 354, p. 411.— June 15, 1891. Financial Business. A Motion being made for Morning Sittings on Thursday and Friday and that the principal business shall be Financial Business, inter alia, and an Amendment being proposed to limit the Motion by inserting after the initial word "That" "until Easter" Mr. Speaker is asked what interpretation should be put on the phrase " financial business." Mr. Speaker—" I think it is rather a matter for the House itself. But looking at the words which are used i should say they included Supply, the Report of Supply, and the Ways and Means Bill, and unless a limitation " until Easter " is introduced, into the proposition, it will of course apply to the Budget. That would be the natural interpretaticu I should be disposed to put upon it ; but it is a matter for the House, and I am not arbiter of the question." Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 1, pp. 1808-9.— March 3, 1892. BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. 49 Friday Sittings : Opposed Business. A Motion to add names to a Select Committee, if opposed, stands over tai Monday. Cf. Birmingliam Corporation Water Bill. Select Committee. Vol. 3, pp. 464-5.- April 1, 1892. Making a House. Under the long-established practice of the House, when a Member has entered the doors are closed ; but if an hon. Member applies to the Speaker, the Speaker ■will give him leave to leave the House, though the doors are closed. Cf. Parliament. Sittings of the House. Vol. 290, pp. 230-31.— July 7, 1884. Matters required to he he/ore the Parliament a certain number of days. If it is provided by Act of Parliament that certain proposed measures must be on the Table a given number of days, and such number of days cannot be fulfilled within the existing Session, the days will begin with the commencement of the ensuing Session. Cf . Educational Endowments Training School. Vol. 348, p. 615.— August 11, 1890. Meeting, Hours of : Limitation of Debate. On a Motion fixing the hours when the House shall meet, the question of the business to be taken is in one sense opened up. But no question can be raised as to what happened on a previous day. Cf. Sitting of the House. Vol. 10, pp. 1411-2.— March 29, 1893. Ministers : Absence of. It is quite beyond the ordinary usage and custom of Parliament to discuss questions in the absence of the responsible advisers of the Crown. In this case a Ministry had gone out and the new Ministry were not qualified as yet to take their seats. A Memher desired to know whether a discussion could arise so as to guide the Ministry, in process of formation, on measures of interest. Mr. Speaker explained that under such circumstances the House met for one purpose only, viz., to issue Writs to enable the incoming Ministry to become duly-qualified Members of the House. There was a deficiency in the Parliamentary system at that moment. There was nothing else before the House but the Motion for New Writs. Cf. Autumn Session. Vol. 7, pp. 450-52.— August 18, 1892. Money Bills and Bills of Urgency : Precedence of. It is a practice sanctioned by the House for many years in the case of Money Bills, and Bills for which urgency can be properly, claimed, to give them precedence before Notices of Motion on Private Members' Night. The consent of the House is not necessary. The judgment of 50 BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. the House is conclusive as to urgency. It is on the ground of urgency that a Money Bill is so put down. Cf. ConsoHdated Fund (No. 1) Bill. Vol. 342, pp. 1821-2.— March 25, 1890. Morning Sittings and Select Committees. There is no inherent right in a Member to call upon the Chairman of a Private Bill Committee to adjourn the Committee in order that they may attend the House when a division takes place, or for the purpose of attending a Standing Committee. Cf. Parliament. Business of the House. Vol. 287, p. 758. — April 28, 1884. Mdtion Deferred: Appearing in a different Metnber's Aame. A motion which was shut over from a previous day appeared in the name of a Member other than the Member who had moved it originally, and, objection being taken — Mr. Speaker said it would he hyper- criticism on his part to take any obiection, and seeing it was precisely the s^me Motion as on a previous occasion was deferred. Cf . Birmingham Water Bill. Select Committee. Vol. 3, p. 536.— April 4, 1892. Opposed Business. Objection. It is not necessary for a Member to state his motive for objecting to Business proceeding. Cf. Early Closing Bill. Vol. 13, p. 867.— June 12, 1893. The Twelve o'clock Mule. Objections to the introduction of Bills after twelve o'clock are equally valid against Private Members' Bills and Government Bills. Motion for leave to introduce a BUI could he put down on Thursday at the commence- ment of PubKc Business, and the Speaker in his discretion could allow one speech in favor of the Motion and one against it. Cf. Adjournment. Vol. 10, p. 1934.— April 10, 1893. By the new Standing Order of 1888, no Opposed Business can be taken after twelve o'clock. No division therefore can take place on the Question of the Adjournment of the House between twelve and one o'clock. Cf. The Twelve o'clock Eule. Vol. 19, p. 669.- November 10, 1893. A simple objection is sufficient to arrest the progress of a Bill. Cf. Movable Dwelling Bill. Vol. 345, p. 580.— June 10, 1890. If an hon. Member objects to a Bill when the Question for the Second Beading is proposed, it cannot then be further proceeded with. Cf. Lifeand Property Protection Bill. Vol. 347, p. 840.- July 24, 1890. BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. 51 When Ohjeeiion not applicable. Objection to taking a Bill after twelve o'clock does not apply to a Bill brought in in pursuance of the provisions of a Statute. Cf. Army Annual Bill. Vol. 342, p. 1353.— March 20, 1890. Objection does not lie against a Motion which is in pursuance of the Standing Order. Cf. Merchant Shipping Rules. Vol. 347, p. 184.— July 17, 1890. Business exempted from. If any business be exempted from the operation of the Resolution (Standing Order No. 1) after its disposal the Adjournment of the House cannot be at once moved, but the remaining business must be dealt with in accordance with the rules relating to business alter 12 o'clock. The Orders must be gone through, that Members may arrange on which days their Bills are to be again set down. Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 351, pp. 929-30.— March 13, 1891. Debate on Objection. A mere objection to a Motion does not hold, and if the objection continues the Debate it must stand adjourned. It is then too late to move the Closure. Cf. Parliamentary Franchise. Vol. 351, pp. 135-6.— March 3, 1891. The Half-past Twelve o'clock Rule. A Bill brought in under the provisions of, and to continue, an Act is within the exceptions contained in the Standing Order, and is specially exempted from the Half-past Twelve Rule. Cf. Army Annual Bill. Vol. 286, p. 980.— March 27, 1884. A Blocking Notice does not apply to a Money Bill. Cf. East India Unclaimed Stocks Bill. Vol 290, p. 105.5.— July 14, 1884. Cf . East India Unclaimed Stocks Bill — To which ohjection taken that it was not a Money Bill in the proper sense of the word — Mr. Speaker — '• This Bill, under the Standing Order, is the same as an ordinary Money Bill. It is essentially a Money Bill." Vol. 297, p. 606.— April 23, 1885. An Amendment being moved to the Question " That a Bill be now lead a second time," and all the words after " That " having been left out on Question put " That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question," and the Debate on the Question " That words be added " being adjourned, on the Order of the Day for the Adjourned 52 BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. Debate the Member whose Amendment it was, seeking to insert an Amendment on the Question as it stood on the Paper — Mr. Speaker states that " The hon. Member's own Amendment acts as a block after half-past twelve, and he could not therefore proceed with his proposal.' ' Cf. Private Bill Legislation. Vol. 294, pp. 1264, 1277, 1285, 1286, 1309.— February 25, 1885. And Vol. 295, p. 686.— March 9, 1885. Select Committee. The nomination of a Committee, and of an ordinary Select Committee, is exempted from the Half-past Twelve Rule. Cf . Civil Service Expenditure. Nomination of a Select Committee. Vol. 297, pp. 127-8.— April 20, 1887. Order of Business. On the days on which the Government have the disposal of business- it is competent for the Government to arrange the precedence of Bills- introduced by private Members. Cf . Parliament. Business of the House. Vol. 303, pp. 137S-4.— March 19, 1886. Orders of the Day : Altering Date of. An hon. Member calling the attention of Mr. Speaker to the fact that,. whereas he had fixed the date for the Committee to sit again on Friday,. May 7, the date mentioned in the Votes was Friday, June 7, and there being no Friday, June 7, the Clerks, in the revised edition of the Order Book, had put down the Bill for Friday, June 4, asked Mr. Speaker if he could not exercise his authority to alter the date as pre- viously mentioned. Mr. Speaker said — ' ' It would not be within his duty to alter the date. The date- had been deliberately named by him from the Chair, and taken down by the Clerk at the Table. It was quite true there was no Friday falling on June 7, but as an impression had gone forth that the Bill would be taken on that date, he would suggest that it might be fair to take the Bill on the Friday nearest to that date." Cf. Public Bills. Sale of Intoxicating Liquors on Sunday BUI — Alteration of Date. Vol. 305, p. 379.— May 6, 1886. PetiUons. Inconvenient Contrivance for Preseniiny. The centre of the floor of the House from the Bar to the Table being, occupied by a series of wooden boxes of cylindrical form, containing a Petition awaiting presentation in favor of the Local Taxation Bill, and objection being taken that the contrivance rendered it impossible for Members to see what is taking place — BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. 53 Mr. Speaker said — " I had no idea that the Petition would have assumed such large proportions. I have already given directions that, immediately after the Private Business shall have been disposed of, the Petition shall he removed." Of. London Overhead "Wires Bill. Vol. 346, pp. 23-6-8. -.Tune 26, 1890. Postponemetit. When the House has ordered a Bill or other matter {e.g., the Com- mittee of Supply and Committee of Ways and Means) to be set down for a certain day, there is nothing to prevent the House from postponing the consideration of such Order to a later day. Cf. Adjournment of the House. Vol. 294, pp. 797-9. — December 4, 1884. Standing Orders — Suspension of : Effect. A Motion bemg made to suspend the Standing Orders in the case of a Bill returned by the Lords with Amendments, and that the Lords' Amendments be now considered, and a Member raising a point that it ■was " a Private Bill, and it is proposed to add to it clauses which cover more than three pages of the Order Book, converting it practically into a. new Bill which unsettles the provisions of a Public Act passed in 1849"; and it being stated that this point had been raised before the Select Committee, and it had been decided that it was a matter entirely ■within the discretion of Parliament whether the question should be dealt •with by a Public or a Private Bill — Mr. Speaker — "If the suspension of the Standing Orders covers anything, it will •cover everyihing that is proposed to be taken into consideration to-day as well as the Amendments which the Lords have made in the Bill." Cf. Dublin Corporation Bill. Vol. 348, p. 472.— August 11, 1890. Statement as to Business. When a statement on behalf of the Government has been made with regard to the future progress of business, and the Leader of the Opposi- tion has followed, it would be out of order to make observations goinvf heyoud the observations so made, and other Members can only put questions. Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 17, pp. 472-6.- Sept. 7, 1893. Supplementary Estimates. The Supplementary Estimates can be taken either before or after the Ordinary Estimates, and it is in accordance with the practice of the House to take money for the coming year before the Supplementary Estimates for the past year are before the House. It was done in 1889 .and on other occasions. Cf Business of the House. Vol. 9, pp. 1293-4.— March 7, 1893. Supply and Ways and Means : Reports of Committees. Under a Kesolution — " That the Reports of the Committees of Supply and Ways and Means' may be entered upon at any hour, though opposed, 54 BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. and the proceedings thereon shall not be interrupted under the provisions of any Standing Order regulating the Sittings of the House, except of Standing Order No. 5." Mr. Speaker, in reply to a Question, stated that the words at the end of the Motion last year, " But after such proceedings are disposed of no Opposed Business shall be taken," were surplusage, and that the words of the Standing Order would come into- operation, and the Business of the Sitting would be dealt with according to the Rule applicable to measures taken after 12 o'clock. Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 343, p. 361.— April 15, 1890. Supply. Fridays. The Order Paper being clear of Amendments, it is within the power of the Government to put down effective Supply, but it is not within the power of any hon. Member to put down a Notice of Amendment. On. the Question that the Speaker leave the Chair, hon. Members can talk thereon. Cf. Order of Business. Vol. 343, pp. 1421-22.— April 25, 1890. Wednesday Sittings: Quorum and Count Out. The attention of Mr. Speaker being called to the inconvenience suffered by Members who were detained in the House until a Quorum was made ; Mr. Speaker — " I know that Members of the House have been put to great inconve- nience on the three last Wednesdays. On two of the occasions referred to the House was not made, technically, until ten o'clock. I have considered myself whether I might leave the Chair at the Table until a House can be made ; but I have thought it unfair that I should have the opportunity of going out of. the House whilst Members are detained. Possibly, if I had gone out and allowed the Members who were present to go out too, they might not have been willing to return, so that there would Lave been additional delay in making a House. On a Wednesday the House cannot be counted out until four o'clock. I believe that Rule has arisen from the practice of allowing new Members to take their seats up to four o'clock. It is an old practice of the House, but if the House likes to alter the practice it can do so by Resolution. There are two alterna- tive courses which I might take, subject to the approval of the House. I might not come into the House until I had been informed by the proper authority that there was a sufficient quorum in the Lobby ; or, when a quorum is not formed by half-past twelve- o'clock, I might leave the Chair for a quarter of an hour, in the hope that a House might be made in that time." Cf. Wednesday Sittings of the House. Vol. 342, pp. 1259-60.— March 20, 1890. THE CHAIKMAN OF COMMITTEES. Appeal from. The Chairman of Committees is the sole judge of what takes place im Committee, and from his decision there is no appeal to the Speaker. Cf. Mr. Long and the Brewing Interest. Vol. 346, p. 1506.— June 20, 1890. Cf. also. The Evicted Tenants (Ireland) Commission. Vol. 9, p. 426-7.— February 27, 1893. THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES. THE CLOSURE. 55 Judgment of the House upon Action of. The question of the conduct of the Chairman in the matter of the sus- pension of a Member is not one of Privilege, but of Order. If a Member desires to obtain the judgment of the House thereon his proper course is to put a Notice on the Paper. Of. Suspension of Mr. Sexton. Vol. 14, pp. 1373-4.— July 12, 1893. THE CLOSURE. Rule as to Moving. In this case Mr. Speaker is asked whether it is in conformity with the spirit of the Standing Order for any Minister to preface his motion for the Closure by a speech of a highly controversial character, and giving reason for its application. Mr. Speaker expressed himself that it was competent so to do. A similar question was raised in August, 1887, and on the poiut being raised Mr. Speaker stated that it was competent for an hon. Member, at the. close of a speech, to move the Closure. But this action is scarcely in accordance with the spirit of the Rule, because it shuts out an answer to such speech. With reference to the Motion of the Closure it would be im- proper and contrary to the spirit of the Rule to move the Closure and then to give reasons, and therefore Mr. Speaker thought it would be improper to give reasons for moving the Closure and then to move it. The question of accepting the Closure is within the discretion of the Speaker or the Chairman, and they would be guided by the circumstances under which the Closure had been moved. Cf. The Closure. Vol. 12, pp. 789-91.— May 12, 1S93. Application to Questions put. If the Question " That the Question be now put " is allowed, and put and carried, it applies to the Questions put from the Chair fi.e., to Amendments and the main Question). Cf. Breach of Privilege. Vol. 3, pp. 960-1.— April 7, 1892. Cf. also. Military Lands Consolidation Bill. Vol. 3, p. 138.- -March 28, 1892. Obligation to put. In regard to the Closure Resolution the Speaker is bound by the Standing Orders. When a Member rises, if the Motion is made, and it is not inopportune, the Speaker has no alternative but to put it. Cf. Established Church (Wales) Bill. Vol. 9, pp. 286-7. February 24, 1893. Premature Application. In the case of a Bill of very large scope, involving novel principles, which has only been discussed a short time, Mr. Speaker will not put the Closure Question. Cf. Sale of Intoxicating Liquors Bill. Vol 10, p. 830.— March 22, 1893. Cf. also. Evicted Tenants (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 10, p. 1467.— March 29, 1893. 56 THE CLOSUEE. Application of. Subsequent reference to. Any reference to the application of the Closure on a previous occasion, when the House is discussing another matter, is irregular. When the Closure is accepted and voted on, it is the act of the House itself. If it is intended to challenge the action of the Chairman in assenting to, or the action of the House in voting, the Closure, that must be done by a Motion after Notice. Cf. Sitting of the House. Vol. 10, pp. 14U-2.-March 29, 1893. Cf. The Employers' Liability Bill. Vol. 11, p. 1839.— May 3, 1893. Attempt to Withdraw Main Question. If the Motion " That the Question he now put " be egreed to it is not competent to withdraw the original Motion. Cf. Matabeleland. Vol. 18, pp. 626-7.— November 9, 1893. Further Amendment to Amendment. When a Member has moved and Mr. Speaker has accepted the Closure, any Member who wished to'coniinue the Debate could not add a fresh Question which had never been put from the Chair. In this case the Motion for Supply-Committee had been negatived, and the Question vras to add words, i.e., of the original Amendment ; and there was a desire when the Amendment became the substantive Motion to make Amendments thereto In reply to the Question what was the position as regards Amendments, Mr. Speaker expressed himself ut supra. Cf. Supply- Committee. Agricultural Holdings. Vol. 13, pp. 737-8.— June 9, 1893. The Twelve o' Cloch Rule. If a Division on a Motion to report Progress, or to adjourn the Debate, on any other Question, is taking place before the hour for the interruption of Opposed Business the time for the interruption of Business is, so to speak, projected forward, and after the Division on the Motion under decision at the usual hour for the interruption of Business, it would be competent for an hon. Member to move the Closure. It has been done repeatedly. Cf. The Closure. Vol. 12, pp. 790-91.— May 12, 1893. The Closure and Grand Committees. A Question being put to Mr. Speaker whether the Chairman of a Grand Committee has the right under the Rules of the House to put the Closure when the discussion upon an Amendment was proceeding : Mr Speaker replied that the Standing Orders of the House did not authorise the Closure as practised in the House to be put in force in Standing Committees or in Select Committees ; but there is an inherent right in the Chairman of a Select Com- mittee or a Standing Committee, if he sees that the transaction of business is becoming impossible, to shorten a discussion. In a former case such action had been generally DEBATE. 57 eanctioned. If an hon. Member thinks that an irregularity has heen committed in a Grand Committee, it will be competent to bring the matter before the House by Motion. Cf. Grand Committees and the Closure. Vol. 10, pp. 911-4.— March 23, 1893. DEBATE. Addressing Chair. An hon. Member must address the Chair, and not any section of the House. Cf. Special Commission : Report. Vol. 341, pp. 1943-6.— March 4, 1890. Adjournment of Debate. The Adjournment of the Debate is never, as a matter of form, given with a motive. In this case an Amendment to the Second Reading of a Bill " That this House does not now proceed to the Second Keadingof the Bill" had been moved, with reasons pre- faced for the Amendment, and on the First Lord of the Treasury stating his preference to substitute for the concluding words ut >npra " adjourn the Debate," Mr. Speaker ruled as above. Cf. Newfoundland Fisheries BUI. Vol. 353, pp. 1245-6.— May 28, 1891. Rules as to. When Motion is made and Question proposed " That the Debate be now adjourned," it is not competent to make any other Motion. Cf. Pluralities Bill, Nomination of Select Committee. Vol. 299, p. 241.— July 9, 1885. If a Motion be made for the Adjournment of a Debate, it is necessary to name a day to which the Debate would be adjourned. Cf. Parliament Order of Business. Vol. 303, p. 430.— January 26, 1886. If a Motion for the Adjournment of the House be negatived it is then competent to move the Adjournment of the Debate. Cf. Address in answer to Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech. Vol. 293, p. 895.— November 3, 1894. Mover. A Member who has moved the Adjournment of the Debate has spoken and cannot speak again. Cf. Savings Banks Bill. Vol. 347, p. 542 —July 22, 1890. 58 DEBATE. If a Member moves the Adjournment of the Debate, and that is not agreed to, he is held to have spoken on the main Question when it is resumed. But when he moves the Adjournment, and it is agreed to, he is in possession of the House, and he may either resume the Debate immediately, or subsequently in the course of the Debate he is entitled to speak. Cf. Address in answer to Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech. Vol. 7, p. 332-4.— August 11, 1892. Seconder. A Member who has seconded the Motion for the Adjournment of the Debate is held to have spoken on the main Question, and has exhausted his right of speaking. In this case the Memher had simply said "I beg to second it " (viz., the Motion for Adjournment). Cf . Infant Life Protection BUI. Vol. 342, p. 1088 (see also p. 1084).— March 17, 1890. Motion Declined by Chair. When a Member moves the Adjournment of the Debate after a lengthened speech without an argument for Adjournment, his speech being rather an argument against Adjournment, Mr. Speaker declines to put the Question. Cf. Supply Report. Vol. 2, p. 1166.— March 17, 1892. Memher Speaking on An hon. Member who has only spoken on the Question of the Adjourn- ment is entitled to take part in the Debate on the main Question. Cf. London County CouncU Bill. Vol. 347, p. 1270.— July 29, 1890. Relevance. Remarks must be confined to the Question of the Adjournment. Cf. Law of Evidence in Criminal Cases Bill. Vol. 286, p. 467, 1884. The main Question cannot be debated on the Question " That the Debate be now adjourned." Cf. Industries. Ireland. Vol. 297, pp. 787-8.— April 24, 1885. Cf. also. Parliamentary Franchise. Vol. 303, p. 701. — February 19, 1886. Cf. Also pp. 1001-2, 1099, 1102-3. Cf. also. London County Council : New Standing Orders. A''ol. 352, pp. 1080-1.— April 22, 1891. Also. Tithe Rent-Charge Recovery BUI. Vol. 350, p. 270.— February 9, 1891. Also. Newfoundland Fisheries BUI. Vol. 353, pp. 1224-7.— May 28, 1891. DEBATE. 59 Pre-audience. An hon. Member who has moved the Adjournment of a Debate i& entitled to pre-audience on the resumption of ihe Debate. But if he is not in his place to claim his right, he is not debarred from rising at a later period to address the House. Cf. Address in answer to tlie Queen's Speech. Vol. 308, p. 614.— August 26, 1886. Cf. also Special Commission (1888) Report. Vol. 342, p. 511.— March 11, 1890. Revival of an Adjourned Debate which has been Superseded by the Adjournment of the House. On Friday, March 7, the Order was read for resuming the Adjourned Debate on an Amendment to an Original Motion, and after long Debate the House was counted out, thereby superseding the Q,U(;stion. On the next day of sitting, Monday, March 10, motion was made and Ques- tion proposed, " That this House will immediately resume the Adjourned Debate on the Amendment (March 3) to the Motion relating to the Report of the Special Commission (1888)." Objection was taken that it was not competent to make such a Motion without Notice given during a Sitting of the House, and that as the House was counted out this Notice must have been handed in at the Table after the Speaker had left the Chair, and the House was no longer sitting. Mr. Speaker said that it was ahsolutely necessary for a Motion of this sort to he made in consequence of the count out of the House on Friday, that that which has become a lapsed Order should be revived, and due Notice should be given. Mr. Speaker being asked whether a Notice whioh has not been put down while the House was sitting in the regular form so as to be a part of the regular Notices and Orders can he taken on the next day, and as part of the Orders of the House, and without the consent of the House : — Mr. Speaker — " The practice pursued in this case is that which has been invariably followed in the case of Supply I know of no distinction between Supply as an Order of the Day and any other Government Business which has been, up to the count out, an Order of the Day. I know nothing about the Notice ; but I assume that proper Notice his been given, and that it is competent for the House to go on under that Notice with that which was interrupted on Friday night, by what I suppose I may say was an accident, provided that it is convenient to the House that it should be pursued on this the next following day." In reply to an inquiry whether the case of Supply was a subject of special treat- ment, or whether all other Motions fall under the same governing considerations : — Mr. Speaker — " I said that I knew of no distinction between Supply as an Order of the Day and any other Government Business which up to the time of the interruption had been an Order of the Day ; but I know of no case of an Order of the Day, other than Supply, which has been counted out on a Friday night being set up in this way." Objection being taken that the particular matter could not be an Order of the Day because the Speaker on Friday could not put the Question that it be taken on Monday (owing to the count out), and a 60 DEBATE. Question being asked how it appeared on the Paper as an Order of the Day, and, moreover, as the first : Mr. Speaker — " It can only come on as the first Order of the Day after the Motion of the first Lord of the Treasury that it be renewed has been carried. The hon. and learned Member will observe that while the subject appears on the Order Paper there is a line between it and the other Orders of the Day, showing that it is of a somewhat anomalous character." A further Question being put whether a private Member who has his Motion or Bill counted out can go to the Clerk's table immediately after- wards and give Notice, and then move at four o'clock on the next day that his Motion or Bill be taken that day and the Debate resumed : Mr. Speaker —" It is not every Member of the House who could make the Motion referred to by the right hon. gentleman. Motions at half-past four o'clock relating to the Business of the House are Motions reserved for Members of the Government. Therefore there is a distinct diiference between a private Member's position and the position of the Government in relation to the arrangement of Business." On the Question of the time when the Notice was handed in, Mr. Speaker said : ' ' I attach great importance to that matter, because it is obvious that there must be a limit of time within which Notices are handed in. It is the common practice that Notices of Motion by private Members are handed in to the Clerk after the House has risen. For instance, Amendments to Bills iu Committee are constantly received after the House U technically up. I only mention that as showing that there is no absolute limit of time, within a few seconds or even a minute, so long as the convenience of the House is considered in the matter Cf. Special Commission (1888) Report. Vol. 342, pp. 347-56.— March 10, 1890. Amendments. Adjourned Debate : Resumption of. When a Debate is resumed on an Amendment to an Original Motion, the Amendment and Original Motion should be read together. Both are technically before the House. Cf. Special Commission (1888) Report. Vol. 342, p. 362.— March 10, 1890. Anticipating Discussion. It is out of order to anticipate discussion on a matter with regard to which there is a Notice for a future day. Cf. Scotland. The Highland Crofters. Vol. 288, pp. 1499-1600.— May 27, 1884. An hon. Member having a Bill on the paper for a future day cannot bring forward a Motion dealing with the subject-matter of the Bill. Cf . Supply Committee. Poor Law, England and Wales. Vol. 308, pp. 175.5-6.— September 9. 1886. Cf. Egypt. The Soudan. Vol. 298, p. 168.— May 11, 1885. Cf. Customs and Inland Revenue (No. 2) Bill. Vol. 299, p. 1692.— July 23, 1885. DEBATE. 61 A preliminarj- discussion on a matter upon which there is an Amend- mnet on the paper is inconvenient in the general discussion upon the Address in Reply. Cf. Address in Reply to Her Majesty's Speech. Vol. 341, p. 221.— February 13, 1890. Cf. also p. 1875.— February 24, 1890. In debating a BiU it is not in order to refer to another Bill on the Order Book. Cf. Electoral Disabilities (Naval, Military, &c.) Bill. Vol. 343, p. 1431.— April 25, 1890. (Deputy Speaker.) An hon. Member rising to move — " That, in the opinion of this House, a measure is urgently needed enabling Town Councils and County Councils in England and Scotland to acquire, by agreement or compul- sorily, on fair terms and by simple and inexpensive machinery, such land within or adjoining their several districts as may, in their judgment, be needed for the requirements of the inhabitants " : Mr. Speaker, interposing, said — " I am bound to point out to the hon. and learned gentleman what I have had an opportunity of pointing out to him in private before, Uiat the Motion Tvliich he proposes to introduce anticipates discussion of the subjects dealt with in two measures that are already before the House. I refer to the Bill standing in the name of the hon. Member for the Leith District — Local Authorities (Scotland) Acquisition of Lands, and to another standing in the name of the hon. Mem- ber for Forfar — Land Purchase and Division (Scotland). Although I am unwilling to put any impediment in the way of the hon. and learned gentleman, I do not see how he can make any statement without infringing on the principles contained in those two measures. The allotments question is clearly debarred ; and the question of town holdiniis in Scotland and the acquisition of lands by Town Councils and County Councils in Scotland appears to be specially debarred by the two Bills I have referred to. If, however, the hon. and learned gentleman can discover any means of escaping from the difficulty I shaU be very glad." Subsequently Mr. Speaker pointed out that if the words " and Scotland " were withdrawn from the Motion it would be in order. (The Motion was then moved, with the reference to Scotland omitted.) Cf. Local Authorities (Acquisition of Land). Vol. 344, pp. 307-9.— May 6, 1890. Cf. also. Intoxicating Liquors (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 342, p. 1913.— March 26, 1890. It is out of order by means of a Resolution to anticipate what is the subject of Bills on the Order Book. In this case, there had been on the Order Book four Bills (Local Veto Bills) referring to England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, respectively. That for England having been withdrawn, a Member desiring to move a €2 DEBATE. resolution in favor of Local Acts : Mr. Speaker ruled that he must con- fine the terms of his resolution to the case of England, so as not to prejudice the other Bills ordered to be read on a future day. Cf. Intoxicating Liquors Licences (England). Vol. 352, p. 1637.— April 2S, 1891. Cf. also. Business of the House. Vol. 353, pp. 1720-1.— June 5, 1891. A Member having a Notice on the Paper cannot move the Adjoum- ment of the House to enable him to discuss the same Question, nor can he withdraw the Motion to enable him so to do ? Cf. Mr. Pritohard Morgan and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Vol. 4, pp. 189-90.— May 5, 1892. Closing of, by putting the Question and Voices taken. If Mr. Speaker has put the Question, and has declared that the Ayes or the Noes had it, it is too late to continue the Debate. But till Mr. Speaker has so declared, it is not too late for an hon. Member to interpose. Cf. Lowe's Charity. Vol. 305, p. 1403.— May 18, 1886. Committees : Premature Reference to. It is not in order to refer to what has taken place in a Committee till the Committee has reported. Cf. Public Business. The Estimates. Vol. 304, p. 40.— March 26, 1886. An hon. Member is not entitled, when the Speaker is in the Chair, to refer to a speech made in Committee of the same Session. Cf. Education. The Glasgow School Board System. Vol. 309, p. 1288.— September 22, 1886. While the Speaker is in the Chair an hon. Member is not entitled to refer in detail to what took place in Committee on a previous occasion ; but, within a certain limit, he can allude to it in a general way. Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 344, p. 1424. — May 20, 1890. Com,mittees, Select, Question of. On the Question that a Select Committee do consist of Members, and until the Speaker has put the first name of the hon. Members who it is proposed should form the Select Committee, the wider Question is still before the House, on the Question that the Select Committee do consist of such-and-such Members. Cf. Industries (Ireland). Nomination of Select Committee. Vol. 297, pp. 780-1.— April 24, 1885. DEBATE. 63 Committees : Select. Nomination of Members. When the House is engaged in nominating the Members of a Com- mittee, it is not competent for an hon. Member to open the whole subject. Cf. Pluralities Bill. Select. Committee. Vol. 299, p. 239.— July 9, 1885. Motion as to Number of which the Committee shall consist. On Motion that a Committee shall consist of a certain number of Members, an Amendment being proposed to substitute another Member, nothing more than a short explanatory statement is permitted under the Standing Order. Nor can the Adjournment of the Debate be moved. Cf. Police (Scotland) Bill. Vol. 346, pp. 1615-6. -July 14, 1890. Reflection upon a CoTnmittee. A Member is not entitled to cast reflections on the action of a Committee. In this case a Member stated that it was impossible to get justice from a Committee constituted as it was, and that the House had not had a full inquiry and a fair decision, and that the Member was committed by his previous action. Mr. Speaker ruled ut supra. Cf. Eastbourne Improvement Act Amendment Bill. Vol. 4, p. 1278.— May 19, 1892. Dilatory Motions. Frequent alternative Motions for the Adjournment of the House and the Adjournment of Debate, when an informal Question has been pro- posed, are an abuse of the forms of the House. Cf . Municipal Elections BUI. Consideration. Vol. 289, pp. 1702-8.— June 30, 1884. Interruption. An hon. Member who is in possession of the House has a right to con- tinue his remarks, and it is at his option whether he gives way or not to another Member who desires to intervene with a remark. Cf. Business of the House. Vol 344, p. 1421.— May 20, 1890. Explanatory Interruption. Wh.en a statement is made affecting an hon. Member, which he denies, Mr. Speaker thinks that the House will feel that the hon. Member has a right to make an explanation on a personal matter. He will not exceed an explanation of the particular matter. Cf. Special Commission (1888) Eeport. Vol. 342, p. 41.— March 5, 1890. Denial of. If an hon. Member says he did not interrupt, that is sufficient. Cf. Agricultural Depression. Vol. 15, p. 850.— July 28, 1893. 64 DEBATE. Irregular : No Question. When there is no Question before the House it is not in order for a Member to address the House. Cf. Established Church (Wales) Bill. Vol. 9, p. 286.— Fehruary 23, 1893. Judges : Reference to the. An hen. Member may comment upon the conduct of the Judges, but he is not in order in using language that is disrespectful towards them. Cf. Ireland. Constitution of the Magistracy. Vol. 286, p. 1732.— April 4, 1884. Expressions reflecting on the Judges of the land are not proper, and must be withdrawn. (N.B. — Mr. Biggar had said that " Baron Nicholson might he said to preside with quite as much dignity and fairness at the ' Coal-hole ' as some of the Irish Judges, of whom a certain number were admittedly of an objectionable character.") Cf. Address in Keply to Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech. Vol. 293, pp. 821-2.— November 3, 1884. It is quite out of order to refer to a Judge as " a ferocious partisan." Cf. Supply. Report. Vol. 225, p. 1813.— March 19, 1885. There must be no comment, except upon Motion in due course, upon the conduct of the Judges of the land, nor must any bias in their conduct arising out of political circumstances be imputed to them. Cf. Crime in Ireland. Vol. 12, p. 1807.- June 1, 1893. Cf. also. Courts of Clare Assizes. Vol. 14, pp. 1090-91.— July 7, .1893. Language Permissible. The term " blocking" is a colloquial expression recognised in this House. It has been used from the Chair with the approval of the House. Cf. Parliament. Business of the House. Vol. 286, pp. 1506-7.— April 3, 1884. The word '' disorderly," if used relatively, is permissible. (N.B. — An hon. Member having used the expression " the rather disorderly cries of Members," Mr. Speaker understood the hon. Member "to complain of the noise which may have prevented his being heard.") Cf. Law and Police. Vol. 291, p. 43.— July 22, 1884. The word "manoeuvring" is not out of order, but it would be out of ord«r to impute to an hon. Member any unfair motive. Cf. Police Forces Enfranchisement Bill. Vol. 305, p. 146.— April 19, 1886. Cf. also p. 1602. Where an hon. Member saying " the real object of his speech was to embarrass the Government and to incite to outrage in the North of Ireland," is corrected by Mr. Speaker for imputing motives. DEBATE. 65 It is permissible to say that proceedings in the Ho\ise " have not been conceived with a view to the public advantage." Cf . Address in Answer to the Queen's Speech. Vol. 308, p. 861.— August 30, 1886. There is nothing unparliamentary in attributing obstruction to any hon. Member. Cf. Address in Answer to the Queen's Speech. Vol. 308, p. 1170.— September 2, 1886. A matter which is one of inference on the part of an hon. Member is not one of order. A Member objecting to such can rebut the statement when he has an opportunity of replying. In this case an hon. Member was charged with pursuing a course of action knowing the horrible consecjuences which would follow. On objection taken, Mr. Speaker ruled ut supra. Cf. Special Commission (1888) Eeport. Vol. 342, p. 536.— March U, 1890. A Member has the right to say that the statement of another hon. Member is untrue. There is no offence to the Member in that. Cf. Famine in India. Vol. 2, p. 548.— March 10, 1892. To say that something was done with the object of frustrating a Bill before the House is not imputing dishonorable motives within the mean- ing of Rule 184. Cf. Public Meetings in Trafalgar Square. Vol. 18, p. 898.— November 14, 1893. It is not out of order to say that a particular suggestion is " scandalous." Cf. The Matabele. Vol. 18, p. ?,008.— November 28, 1893. Language : Threatening. An hon. Member being interrupted and saying " Perhaps, however, before he concluded, those who interrupted him would be the worse for their interruption." Mr. Speaker— The hon. Member must continue his speech without making any threat to hon . Members of the House. Cf. Parliamentary Elections Bill. Vol. 297, p. 1005.— April 28, 1885. Language : Unparliamentary. It is not parliamentary to characterise an answer from the Government as " shuffling." Cf. Suez Canal Company. Vol. 258, p. 270.— March 6, 1884. The expression "the dirty trick debate" is one which should not be used ita reference to a Debate in the House. Cf. Consolidated Fund Bill. Vol. 286, p. 765.— March 25, 1884. E 66 DEBATE. It is not in order to impute that an hon. Member has used " foul language." Cf. Eepresentaiion of the People Bill. Vol. 290, p. 845.— July 1 1, 188t. The expression " dirty trick" applied to action taken in the House in the conduct of business is an unparliamentary and improper expression. Cf. Supply. Civil Service Estimates. Vol. 292, p. 277.— August 8, 1884. It is unparliamentary to impute that an hon. Member has " falsified a document." Cf. Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill. Vol. 292, p. 479.— August II, 1884. It is not in order to impute to any hon. Member of this House " a deliberate attempt to pervert justice." Cf. Address in Answer to Her Majesty's Moat Gracious Speech. Vol. 293, p. 180.— October 24, 1884. It is not in order to characterise the speech of an hon. Member as " made with his usual insolence." Cf. Public Meetings. Vol. 293, p. 263.— October 27, 1884. It is not in order to charge hon. Members with having " trumped up charges for political purposes." Cf. Ibid. P. 310.-October 27, 1884. The term " seditious blasphemer" applied to a Member of the House is not a proper and parliamentary expression. Cf. General Gordon's Mission. Vol. 288, p. 201.— May 13, 1884. It is not in order to impute improper motives {e.g., to charge an hon. Member with a determination to injure the interests of the shareholders of a company because of the Member's personal action). Cf. Tramways and Public Companies Act Amendment Bill. Vol. 289, p. 1999.— July 3, 1884. The word "unscrupulous" is unparliamentary, and ought not to be applied to any section of the Members of the House. Cf. Parliament. Public Business. Vol. 290, p. 32.— July 4, 1884. It transgresses the rules of courtesy which prevail in the House to refer to an hon. Member as " slandering." Cf. ' Merchant Shipping Bill. Vol. 290, p. 351.— July 7, 1884. DEBATE. 67 It is not in order to express a doubt as to the veracity of an hon. Member. Cf. Adjouminent. The Ministerial Statement. Vol. 290, p. 713.— July 10, 1884. (N. B. —An hon. Member had said ' ' I prefer to helieve the word of my noble friend to that of the right hon. baronet.") It is not in order to accuse an hon. Member of not believing in charges •which he has brought before the House. Vol. 293, pp. 569-70.— October 30, 1884. It is an improper and unparliamentary expression to impute dishonest practices to a Member of the House. Vol. 293, p. 599.— October 30, 1884. Or to use such language as " the ruffianism of re-appointing Mr. Oeorge Bolton by the Irish Government." Cf. Civil Service (Ireland). Vol. 293, p. 781.— November 3, 1884. It is not in order to speak of the policy of the Government as " vile and infamous." Cf . Address in Answer to Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech. Vol. 293, p. 879.— November 3, 1884. An hon. Member is not entitled to refer to another hon. Member as having been called to order " for not behaving himself like a gentleman." Cf. Representation of the People Bill Vol, 293, p. 1276.— November 7, 1884. The term " singular character of duplicity" is not one which should be used in this House by one hon. Member to another hon. Member. Cf. Crofters and Cotters. Vol. 293, p. 1793.— November 14, 1884. An hon. Member using the expression ^'Arcades umbo " towards the Lord Lieutenant and an official, Mr. Speaker called upon the hon. Member to withdraw what had the impression of being used offensively. The hon. Member disclaimed such use. Cf. Criminal Law (Ireland). Vol. 294, pp. 318-9.— November 24, 1884. It is not in order to charge an hon. Member with being " dishonest " (in a statement of an occurrence). Cf. Nationalist Meetings. Vol. 294, p. 964.— February 20, 1885. It is not in order to characterise a statement made by an hon. Member as " shameful." Cf. Law and Justice (Ireland). Vol. 294, p. 1029.— February 25, 1885. 68 DEBATE. An hon. Member having stated his intention to " call attention to the continual encroachment on public property by the snobs and swells of Dublin garrison " — Mr. Speaker— The hon. Member is quite out of order. The hon. Member must withdraw that expression. It is not a proper or parliamentary expression to be usei in this House. Cf. Ireland. The Phoenix Park. Vol. 297, p. 18.— Aprill7, 1885. An imputation that Members, either directly or indirectly, had been, guilty of bribery at elections, is out of order, and must be withdrawn. Cf. Parliamentary Elections BiU. Vol. 297, p. 1028.— April 28, 188.5. An hon. Member is not justified in applying to another hon. Member such an expression as " his jocose and rather idiotic style." Cf . Police Forces Enfranchisement Bill. Vol. 3C4, p. 374.— March 31, 1886. It is not a proper expression to charge any Member, or any section of the House, with " robbing." Cf. Railway and Canal Traffic Bill. Vol. 305, p. 450.— May 6, 1886. It is not a proper expression to characterise a Motion as " a wilful waste of the time of the House." Cf. Charterhouse Bill. Vol. 305, p. 522.— May 7, 1886. It is not parliamentary to allege that " murder and assassination were done under the immediate superiatendence, sanction, and direction of an hon. Member." Cf. Arms (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 305, p. 1552.— May 20, 1886. The words " dishonest and hypocritical" are not in order as applied to- an hon. Member. Cf. Arms (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 306, p. 1583.— May 20, 1886. It is the imputation of an improper motive to attribute " dishonest tactics " to an hon. Member. Cf. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 306, p. 350.— May 28, 1886. To use such an expression as " The dictatorship of intrigue and in- capacity is over" is not parliamentary language. Cf. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 306, p. 1245.— June 7, 1886. Nor to interject that an hon. Member " never had a conscience." Ibid, p. 465. DEBATE. 69 Nor to allege that an hon. Member " has turned on crime at his pleasure." j,., ,„. ^ Ibid, p. 525. Nor to charge an hon. Member with " vulgar and venomous scurrility." Ibid, p. 919. It is improper and unparliamentary to characterise the language of an hon. Member as " low and scurrilous." Vol. 308, p. 1138. Or an hon. Member's line of argument as " ungentlemanly." Ibid, p. 1139. It is not a proper expression to refer to an hon. Member as one who " shields criminals." Cf. Address in Answer to the Queen's Speech. Vol. 308, p. 1295.— September 3, 1886. It is not parliamentary to refer to action in the House as " a job that had been perpetrated." Cf. Registration (Occupation Voters) Bill. Vol. 298, p. 423.— May 12, 1885. An imputation of malice to any Member of the House is out of order. (N.B. — The expression used was " the malicious attacks which proceeded' from the mover of the Motion.") Uf. Maamtrasna, &c.. Murders." Vol. 299, pp. 1109-10.— July 17, 1885. It is not in order to impute an " indecent purpose " to an hon. Member in regard to any action in reference to business before the House. Cf. Criminal Law Amendment Bill. Vol. 300, p. 579.— July 30, 1885. An hon. Member interposing to ask whether a Member is entitled to make a charge against another hon. Member of taking a hired mob to a particular constituency during an election, which would be an offence under the Corrupt Practices Act, and would render that Member legally incapacitated from sitting, there being also an election petition pending : Mr. Speaker ruled there was nothing in the form of the words used to call for remark irom the Chair, but it was a grave charge to bring, especially with a Petition pending. Cf. Address in Answer to Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech. Vol. 302, pp. 166-7.— January 21, 1886. An hon. Member saying " This was the party to which the hon. gallant and truthful Member belonged," is reminded by Mr. Speaker that he is reflecting on a Member in a manner which is unparliamentary. Of. Address in Answer to Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech. Vol. 302, p. 173.— January 21, 1886. 70 DEBATE. An hon. Member saying " he began to wonder whether the hon. gentleman himself was a hired Tory agitator " — Mr. Speaker ruled that the language was not in accordance with the Order of Par- liamentary Debate. Cf. Metropolis. The Metropolitan Police Force. Vol. 302, p. 1409.— February 26, 1886. It is unparliamentary to refer to Members collectively as " the wise- acres of this House," and to include one in the position of the Chairman of Ways and Means in this description. Cf. Belfast Main Drainage BiU. Vol. 302, pp. 1710-11.— March 2, 1886. An hon. Member is not entitled to apply to another Member such language as " That he brought it (a Resolution soil) forward with a deep meaning, and that he did not mind being thought contemptible and mean." Cf. Eepresentative Government. Vol. 303, p. 43. — March .5, 1886. It is not in order to make reflections on Members by making quotations from a pamphlet. Cf. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 304, p. 1230. — April 9, 1886. It is not in order to impute that an hon. Member adopts in the House an objectionable manner and tone. Ibid, p. 1399. The word " brutal " is undoubtedly a very strong expression, and Mr. Speaker hopes it will not be used in the House. Cf. Address in Eeply to Her Majesty's Speech. Vol. 341, p. 598.— February 18, 1890. It exceeds the courtesies of Debate to charge an hon. Member with " a petty and miserable display of temper." Cf. Special Commission (1888) Report. Vol. 342, p. 33.— March 5, 1890. It is not right to say of a Member who makes an explanation that he is " endeavoring to lead the House off on a false scent." Cf., p. 44. Foran hon. gentleman to say that other hon. gentlemen are too wise to avoid putting into theii- speeches what would save them from legal consequence is a suggestion very provocative, and Mr. Speaker does not think it is in any way conducive to the judicial character of the Debate. Cf., p. 218.-March6. DEBATE. 71 It exceeds all limits of parliamentary order and courtesy in Debate to charge an hon. Member with " truculence and ofFensi've bad taste." Cf. Ireland: Mr. M. Harris's Funeral. Vol. 343, p. 916.— April 18, 1890. It is not in order to use such an expression as " the unseemly howls ■which have proceeded from the other side of the House." Cf. Anglo-German Agreement Bill. Vol. 347, p. 976.— July 25, 1890. Should an hon. Member use such an expression as " scandalous " in reference to the Chair, Mr. Speaker would order him out of the House immediately. Cf. Supply: Report. Vol. 347, p. 1004.— July 25, 1890. The term " insolence " should not be used in the House, as applied to any Member. Cf. Local Taxation Bill. Vol. 347, p. 1590.— August 1, 1890. The expression, " the sharp practice," applied to an hon. Member's conduct, cannot be permitted. Cf. Public Meetings in Schoolrooms. Vol. 1, p. 1432.— February 26, 1892. It is not in order to speak of Members as " subservient creatures." Cf. Supply— Report. Vol. 10, p. 1469.— March 29, 1893. The term " Judas " is an improper and an ungentlemanly expression. Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 14, p. 471.— June 29, 1893. The words "a most cowardly attack" are out of order, and should be withdrawn. Cf. The Compilation of Irish Police Statistics. Vol. 15, p. 104.— July 20, 1893. Two Members rising simultaneously, and a Member interjecting " Two speeches on the same side," Mr. Speaker characterised this as a " disgraceful expression." There was only an hour left, and it was reasonable that the leader of the Opposition should speak, to be followed by the Minister. That was why Mr. Speaker had called on the leader of the Opposition. As to whether it was possible to continue the Debate after twelve o'clock Mr. Speaker did not like to take it upon himself to set aside the Standing Order. Cf. Tenants Arbitration (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 28, pp. 346-8.— August 7, 1894. 72 DEBATE. Outside Person : Language Referring to. It is not in the power of Mr. Speaker to interfere with the expressions used by hon. Members in regard to persons outside the House. These expressions rest on the responsibility of the Members, but they are not compatible with the orderly discussion of affairs in the H(mse. Cf. Address in Answer to Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech. Vol. 8, p. 2B5.— February 2, 1893. Language ; Unparliamentary, in Private. There is a distinction between words used in the confidence of private conversation and words used in a Debate in the House. If words are used by a Member in his place he should explain whether it was used in private conversation, to what it was intended to refer, or whether it was intended to be heard. Cf. Egypt (Eastern Soudan). Vol 285, pp. 172.5-6.— March 1.% 1884. The Lords : Disrespectful Reference to. Remarks disrespectful to the Lords are contrary to the principles of amenity which should guide the conduct of Members of the House in speaking of the other House. An hon. Member is bound to speak with respect of the House of Lords. (N.B.— Mr. Thorold Rogers had spoken of an action as "one of the basest acts in their base history, " and referred to "Bills being constantly brought into that House (Lords scilj to settle the estates of 'noble profligates,' " and charged the Lords that they " would always restore any mischievous and scandalous institution.") Cf . Representation of the People Bill. Vol. 293, pp. 1164-6.— November 6, 1884. Members of the other branch of the Legislature must be spoken of within respect in the House. Cf. Parliamentary Elections (Redistribution) Bill. Vol. 298, p. 102.— May 8, 1885. An hon. Member having used the following language — " A great many bad characters in Ireland, from Lord Spencer downward," is re- minded by Mr. Speaker that that is not a respectful way to speak of any Member of the other House, and is called upon to withdraw the expression. Cf. Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1881. Vol. 299, p. 1792.— July 24, 1885. An hon. Member charging a Peer with having made "one of the most disgraceful and scurrilous speeches which could have been made, either by a Duke or any other person," and objection being taken — Mr. Speaker — " If the hon. gentleman reflects, in disparaging terms, on a Member of the other House of Parliament, he is clearly out of order. But I do not gather from the remarks of the hon. Member that he is referring to the House of Lords, or to anything which has passed in that Assembly." Cf. Address in Reply to Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech. Vol. 302, p. 230.— January 22, 1886. DEBATE. 73 Reference to Debate in the Lords. It is quite in order to refer in general terms to a speech made in the Lords. (N.B.— In rfiply to a question, reference was made to an explanation of the sutject- matter of the Question given in '■ another place.'') Cf. France and China. Vol. 296, p. 1102.— March 31, 1886. It is a well-established rule, and one of obvious convenience, that no reference should be made to words used in the other House of Parlia- ment in the same Session. Cf . Address in Answer to the Queen's Speech. Vol. 308, p. 223.— August 20, 1886. A Member on the Second Readino; of a Bill saying : — " I am always suspicious of anything that comes from the House of Lords, especially when they are in a hurry, and especially when they adjourn without any reason, as they did last week." Mr. Speaker reminded the Memher that he was not entitled to speak of the other hranch of the Legislature in th'se terms. Cf Puhlio Authorities Protection Bill. Vol. 5, p. 1640.— June 20, 1892. Cf. also. Adjournment— The Dissolution. Vol. 5, p. 1842.— June 23, 1892. When Mr. Speaker deprecated constant references to the House of Lords wanting in respect. It is not unreasonable for a Member of the Government to state the opinion of certain Members of the Government expressed in the other House. Cf. London Streets Bill. Vol. 348, p. 692.— August 12, 1890. It is a very wholesome rule in this House not to allude to statements or debates in the other House of the present Session, as to do so might bring the two Houses into collision. Cf. Eedemption of Rent (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 15, p. 1781.— August 10, 1893. An allusion to a Debate in the Lords on a Bill before the House is admissible, but it is not admissible to go too minutely into an examina- tion of such Debate. Cf. Local Government (Scotland) Bill. Vol. 29, p. 295.— August 22, 1894. Member Speaking and Motion to Refuse Further Speech. An hon. Member moving that a Member be no longer heard, Mr. Speaker rules it is not a proper Motion — not one which it is in his power to put. Cf. Address in Reply to Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech. Vol. 8, pp. 265-6.— February 2, 1893. 74 DEBATE. Ministerial Statement. With the leave of the House the Prime Minister may make a statement at any time. Cf. Parliament. Business of the House. Vol. 291, p. 137i. — August t, 1884. Motion : Withdrawal of. If an hon. Member has a Motion on the paper and concludes his speech in reference thereto by asking to withdraw the Motion, if the Motion be not moved there is no Question before the House, and no discussion can ensue. Cf. Cork Butter Market Bill. Yol. 286, p. 578.— March 24, 1884. Newspapers : Reading from. An hon. Member reading from a newspaper comments upon the con- duct of Business in the House, and objection being taken thereto — Mr. Speaker said — "The rule which precludes reading from a newspaper has, in accordance with the general feeling of the House, been relaxed of late years. I need hardly say that, of late years, extracts from newspapers have been much used in the House, though I have not seen the actual newspaper from which an extract is taken produced and displayed so conspicuously as on the present occasion." Cf. Public Business. Vol. 345, p. U92.— June 17, 1890. An hon. Member proceeding to make use of a newspaper is reminded by Mr. Speaker that it is usual when a newspaper is used in the House to reduce it to the smallest possible compass. Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 17, p. 480. — September 7, 1893. Cf. also. Established Church (Wales) Bill. Vol. 32, p. 125.— March 25, 1895. Objection to Bills : Statement as to. If objection is taken to the Second Reading of a Bill, in an appeal to withdraw the objection, statement as to the Bill wiU be necessarily short. Cf. Seamen's Eating Bin. Vol. 14, p. 1250.— July 10, 1893. Opposed Business : Explanation. Opposed Business cannot be proceeded with nor debated, but it is. competent for a Member to explain or make an appeal. Cf. Evidence BiU. Vol. 355, pp. 1140-1.— July 13, 1891. Order. Speaking to. An hon. Member must confine himself to the Point of Order, and not make any comment. Cf. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 306, p. 507.— May 31, 1886. DEBATE. 75 It is not in order to repeatedly rise to Points of Order when there is no Point of Order hefore the House. Cf. Compensation for Improvements Bill. Vol. 289, p. 1836.— July 2, 1884. Renewal of Discussion on. When an hon. Member has pursued a course which has brought him under the notice of the Chair and required him to be called to order, the remarks he has made are not a fit subject for subsequent discussion. Cf. Address in Answer to tlie Queen's Speech. Vol. 308, p. 738.— August 27, 1886. Member : Suspension of. A Member being named by Mr. Speaker for disregarding the authority of the Chair, no debate is allowed on the Question " That such Member be suspended from the service of the House." Vol. 294, p. 118S.— February 24, 1885. Personal Explanation. It is not in order, in a personal explanation, to enter upon matters of Debate. Cf. Bankruptcy Act, 1S83 (Patronage). Vol. 286, pp. 49-52 —March 17, 1884. An hon. Member desirous of making a personal explanation is at liberty to ask a Question which he thinks necessary for some personal explanation affecting himself, but he cannot debate a matter which was the subject of a question on a former occasion. Cf. PubUc Meetings. Vol. 289, pp. 1922-3.— July 3, 1884. The discussion on a matter of personal explanation is strictly limited to the Members directly concerned. It is not in order for other hon. Members to intervene. Cf. Order. Rules of Debate. Personal Explanation. Vol. 289, p. 820. -June 19, 1884. Cf. also. Egypt. p. 587.— June 17, 1884. Cf. Industries (Ireland). Select Committee. Vol. 296, p. 1147.- April 9, 1895. Questions in Debate. An hon. Member, by putting a question as to when a Motion is likely to .come on, does not thereby debar himself from taking part in the Debate afterwards. Cf. East India Expenses. ' Vol. 295, p. 223.— March 6, 1885. An hon. Member who has spoken is entitled to answer a question if put to him. Cf. Parliamentary Elections Bill. Vol. 306, p. 1612.— June 11, 1886. ■76 BEBATE. Reading Speech. A Member is not entitled to read his speech, though he may refer to notes. Cf. Church of Scotland Bill. Vol 303, p. 1108.— March 17, 1886. Cf. also. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 11, p. 60.— April 11, 1893. Reference to Previous Debate. The practice is not to refer to previous Debates on other subjects in the same Session, but it is in order to refer to previous Debates on the subject. It is a question of degree. It is scarcely in order to refer in detail to a speech of great length. Cf. Government of Ireland Bin. Vol. 16, p. 445.— August 17, 1893. ReUvancy and Irrelevancy. On a Motion to postpone Notices of Motion the Rule of Relevancy of Debate strictly applies. Cf. Orders of the Day. Egypt and the Soudnn. ; Vol. 294, pp. 1179-81.— February 21, 1885. On a Motion to postpone the Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day on certain days, with a view to giving precedence to certain busi- ness, an hon. Member is entitled to refer to a Bill which will be affected by such an arrangement, and would be allowed to argue the necessity for giving priority to such Bill. But it would not be in order to initiate a Debate on such Bill, nor to discuss its merits. Cf. Notices of Motion and Orders of the Day. Vol. 305, pp. 1289-94.— May 18, 1886. It is not in order to go into the details of a measure not immediately before the House, but a casual reference to it would be in order. Cf. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 3'Jo, p. 1016.— May 13, 1886. If an hon. Member has moved the Adjournment to discuss a deiinite matter of urgent public importance, anything but a mere casual reference to any other Bill would be entirely out of order. Cf. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 306, p. 346.— May 28, 1886. On a Motion for the appropriation of a particular day it is not in •order to discuss the merits of a particular Bill. Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 1, p. 1817.— March 3, 1892. In discussing a clause a Member cannot discuss the general question. Cf. Business of the House. (Procedm-e on the Government of Ireland Bill). Vol. 14, pp. 376, 7.— June 30, 1893. DEBATE. 77' No particular rules can be made, by anticipation, as to relevancy in debate. What constitutes relevancy or irrelevancy can only be decided as the particular question arises. For this reason it has not been thought necessary to quote in full each case where the Speaker has had to intervene, or his opinion has been sought. But the following cases can be referred to : — Government of Ireland Bill. — Consideration. Vol. 16, pp. 30, 36.— Aug. 11, 1893. Ibid., pp, 76, 191-3, 898; 1451. Vol. 17, pp. 1721, 1732. Cf. also. Vol. 22, pp. 1301, 1371, 1480, 1622, 1638, 1655.-(1894.) Vol. 23, pp. 997-9, 1591. Vol. 24, pp. 1667-8, 1643. On a Question before the House of a Second Chamber, i.e., whether a Second Chamber was desirable or not, Mr. Speaker ruled it was not in order to discuss the qualification of the electors or the sufficiency of their number. Cf. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 16, p. 297.— August 15, 1893. Continued Irrelevance (The New Rules J. An hon. Member being directed by Mr. Speaker, on account of con- tinued irrelevance, to discontinue his speech and persisting, is named by Mr. Speaker, whereupon Motion is made and Question put " That Mr. — be suspended from the service of the House." Cf. Order in Debate. Vol. 293, pp. 1 035-7.— November 5, 1884. Speeches outside the House hy Members : Complaint of. Words made use of outside the House are not within the Speaker's^ jurisdiction. But if a Member complains thereof, he is entitled to a.sk lor a personal explanation. In this case an hon. Member asked another Member if he was correctly reported to have- made an assertion, and on his admitting the substantial correctness of the report, but disclaiming any intention to reflect upon those referred to, and another hon. Member characterising the assertion as an absolute falsehood, and appealing to Mr. Speaker •vrhether an instant and absolute apology should not be made : — Mr. Speaker — " The words made use of were not made in this House, and, therefore, my jurisdiction does not come directly in. The House is very chary of noticing expressions used out of the House, and bringing them up for discussion in this House. The hon. Baronet asked me if the purport of what he has said might be embodied in a question, and, in accordance with the invariable rule, I told him not ; but as it was a per- sonal question and involved a quasi kind of privilege, he was entitled to ask for a personal explanation. The allegation has been made and somewhat modified by the noble- Lord, and has been repudiated and altogether discountenanced by hon. gentlemen from Ireland. I think, therefore, so far as I am concerned, the matter should rest there. I cannot call upon any Member to apologise for anything he has said out of the House. There is only one expression which I should wish had not been used, either in this House or out of it, and that is the word "mercenary." And the Member complained of having again expressed his regret, Mr. Speaker appealed to hon. Members not to let the matter go further. Cf. Parliament. The Irish Party. Vol. 8, pp. 1587-91.— February 16, 1893. 78 DEBATE. Comment on Irrelevant Remarks. • If a Member is called to order for addressing himself to matter alien to that before the House, comments upon his remarks are out of order. Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 14, p. 534.— June 30, 1893. Reply : Right of. An hon. Member who has made a substantive Motion is entitled to reply. Cf. Eajah of Tenom (Adjoummenl of House). Vol. 289, p. 1920.— July 3, 1884. Responsibility for Statement. An hon. Member is responsible for any statement he makes. In this case, in the Dehate on the Special Commission (1888) Report, objection taken to the Chief Secretary for Ireland that he was not confining himself to statements "based upon the evidence upon which the Report was founded, and to the conclusions in the lleport then under discussion : Mr. Speaker expressed himself ut supra. Cf. Special Commission (1888) Report. Vol. 342, p. 434.— March 10, 1890. Seconder. It is a well understood rule that, if any Member seconds a motion by simply raising his hat, he is not precluded from subsequently taking a part in the Debate. Cf. Crofters (Scotland) Bill. Vol. 304, p. 130.— March 29, 1886. Speaking Twice. An hon. Member who has seconded a Motion for Adjournment has €xhausted his right to speak. Cf. Magistrates Salaries BiU. Vol. 291, p. 827.— July 28, 1884. (N.B. — In this case the hon. Member stated, " I only raised my hat.") A Member who has spoken cannot move the Adjournment of the House, nor can a Member who has seconded a Motion for the Adjourn- ment of the Debate speak on the main Question. Cf. Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill. Vol. 292, p. 581.— August 11, 1884. An hon. Member having spoken on the main Question cannot speak again except with the indulgence of the House. Cf. Address in Reply to Her Majesty's Speech. Vol. 341, p. 766.— February 20, 1890. A Member rising to speak, and objection taken that he had already «poken : Mr. Speaker — " The position of the hon. Member in this matter is somewhat peculiar. On the previous occasion he rose only to move the Adjournment of the DIVISIONS. 79 Debate. That motion was eventually carried, although the hon. Member himself did not move it, and I think it would be rather hard if the House does not hear the hon. gentleman now." Cf. London County Council Bill Vol. 347, pp. 1264-6.— July 29, 1890. (N.B. — Speech allowed accordingly.) Cf. also. East India (Revenue Accounts). Vol. 356, p. 1278.— August 4, 1891. A Member having moved an Amendment to the Question for Com- mittee of Supply (that the Speaker do now leave the Chair) of the nature of a Resolution, has no right of reply. Cf . Supply Committee : Public Meetings in Schoolrooms. Vol. 1, pp. 1408, 1425.— February 26, 1892. A Member who takes off his hat in response to the Question put from -the Chair, whether any one seconds the Amendment, has lost his right of, speaking. Cf. British Columbia Loan Bill. Vol. 6, p. 1744.— June 21, 1892. DIVISIONS. Notice of. When Committees are sitting in the Lords' Committee Room, which is out of the reach of the Division Bells of the House of Commons, Mem- bers should be informed of a Division about to be taken. Cf. Great Western Railway Bill. Vol. 25, p. 1069.- June 14, 1894. Tellers. There is no obligation on a Member who has seconded a Motion to be A Teller on Division. Cf. Parliament. Parliamentary Election. Vol. 287, p. 1220.— May 2, 1884. If an hon. Member, being asked by Mr. Speaker who will tell with lim, makes no reply, Mr. Speaker will name a Member as Teller. Cf. North British EaQway Bill. Vol. 298, p. 936.— May 19, 1885. If there are no Tellers there can be no Division. Cf. Belfast Main Drainage Bill. Resolution. Vol. 307, p. 205.— June 24, 1886. Quorum : Tellers Counted. A Division showing ayes 29, noes 8, Mr. Speaker's attention is called to the fact that forty Members are not present. Mr. Speaker — " Including the tellers there are more than forty Members present." Cf. Parliamentary Franchise Bill. Vol. 294, p. 23.— November 20, 1884. 80 DIVISIONS. Complaint of Disorderly Language at Division. The Question being put from the Chair, and an hon. Member com- plaining of language addressed to him, and the hou. Member complained of stating that the hon. Member had used offensive language towards him, Mr. Speaker considered it most convenient for the Division to pro- ceed, and the two hon. Members to attend in their places immediately after. The Division having been taken, Mr. Speaker said that as the words complained of had been used in the House the matter came under his authority, but that while the Division was in progress both Members had apologised to each other and the House. Of. Address in Answer to the Queen's Speech. Vol. 308, pp. 1164-0.— September 2, 1886. Members' Votes : When not Recorded. The vote of a Member who has not heard the Question put cannot be recorded. Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 14, p. 557.— June 30, 1893. Member Failing to Vote : General Rule. If a Member does not record his vote attention should be called thereto' immediately after the Division, either before the numbers are declared or immediately after. It is too late to bring the matter forward on a subsequent evening. Mr. Speaker said^' ' The general rule is that Members who have heard the Question put, either the first or second time, ought to go into the Lobby and vote. Members within the folding-doors should record their votes. The hon. gentleman has alluded to the rooms behind the Chair. There was a case in whii:h Sir Henry Drummond Wolff, then a Member of this House, called the attention of the Speaker to the fact that several Members on the Treasury Bench deliberntely left their seats on a Division being called, and did not appear in either Division Lobby. The Speaker of thai day ruled they were entitled to withdraw; Though Members go into the Lobby I do not know that it is absolutely imperative that they should vote. I do not think that it is possible for the House to maintain that a Member shall be forced to vote. I think it would lead to some very disagreeable consequences if all Members in the House were forced to vote, but it is convenient that they should withdraw before the Question is finally put. Some Members are accidentally shut within the outer doors of the House and do not wish to record their vote, and there are means of escape which are known to Mem- bers. No Member is allowed, after the outer doors are closed — as they were on this occasion by the Sergeant-at-Arms — to have egress from the House into the outer Lobby. "What becomes of him inside the doors is another matter." Cf. A Point of Order. Vol. 30, pp.' 1415-7.— February 22, 1895. Correction of Lists. li a Division is erroneously stated in the Votes and Proceedings, it will be corrected. Cf. The Division on the Local Taxation Bill. Cf. also. Vol. 23, p. 824. Vol. 344, p. 1121.— May Ifi, 1890. DOCUMENTS. 81 DOCUMENTS. Printing of. It is quite in order to obtain without notice an order for the printing of a document presented by a Minister relating to his Department. Cf. Metropolitan Improvements. Yol. 287, p. 648.— April 25, 1884. Quoting : Rules as to. If Reports are quoted it is usual to lay them on the Table. Cf. Army. Commissariat and Transport SeiTices. Vol. 28.5, p. 893.— March 7, 1884. Public despatches, documents, and papers relating to the public affairs should be laid on the Table if quoted by a Minister ; but if a Minister makes a statement on his own responsibility, and does not make citations from documents, he is under no such obligation. Cf. Parliament. Eules of Debate. Vol. 286, pp. 1022-3.— March 28, 1884. In a case where a Minister having quoted from a docmnent, it was claimed that he was bound to lay it on the Table. Mr. Speaker supported the contention of the Minister that it would be a strained interpretation of the rule to say that, because he quoted the actual textual charge of a Judge on a particular point, he should lay the whole document on the Table of the House. The Minister could lay it on the Table at once, or he might await a Motion for it. Cf. Mr. Justice Gibson's Charge. Vol. 14, p. 1570.— July 14, 1893. " The general rule of the House is well understood, that if a Minister refers to public documents or despatches, he should lay them before the House ; but confiden- tial documents, or documents of a private nature passing between officers of a Department and the Department, are not necessarily laid on the Table of the House, especially if the Minister declares that they are of a confidential nature. It would be a precedent dangerous to the Public Service to say that they ought to be laid. . . . I think the House may take the word of a Minister when he says that a document is not confidential to a certeun extent. If a Minister says that the document is generally of a confidential nature, Mr. Speaker has no hesitation in saying that he is not bound to lay the document on the Table." Cf. Quotations from Official Documents. Vol. 15, p. 1778.— August 10, 1893. Vote of Credit. When a Minister lays on the Table a Vote of Credit, the Motion is to refer the Vote to Committee of Supply, and on that a Debate can arise ; and such a Debate would take precedence of Notices of Motion. Cf. Parliament. Business of the House. Vol. 297, pp. 32-4.— April 17, 1885. 82 INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMITTEES.. INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMITTEES. Notice Necessary. An Instruction to a Committee cannot be moved without Notice. Cf. Church Patronage Bill. Vol. 289, p. 769.— June 18, 1884. Cf. London Street (Strand Improvement) BiU. Vol. 342, p. 1124.— March 18, 1890. Cf. Census (Ireland) BUI. Vol. 347, p. 429 —July 21, 1890. Notice for an Instruction to a Standing Committee is an independent Motion — it does not attach to any Order of the Day. It has no pre- cedence, but is subject to the ballot. Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 4, pp. 192-3.— May 5, 1892. General Rules as to. Instruction is only permissible when it is necessary for the purpose of giving power to a Committee to do that which otherwise they would have no authority to do. Cf. Public "Works Loan Bill. Vol. 291, pp. 479-82.— July 24, 1884. An Instruction to a Committee does not bind the House to the prin- ciple contained in it. It is only an enabling power to the Committee. Cf. Public Health Act Bill. Vol. 305, p. 1412.— May 18, 1886. If a subject is relevant to a Bill it is competent for the Committee to deal with it, and it should be moved as an Amendment in Committee. It would not be in order to move as an Instruction to the Committee that which it is empowered to do. Cf. Representation of the People Bill. Vol. 287, pp. 828-9.— April 28, 1884. Instructions whose purposes might be carried out by Amendments and clauses in Committee are irregular, as seeking to empower the Com- mittee to do that which it has the power to do. There is a vast and material difierence between Instructions to a Com- mittee and an Amendment on the Second Reading of a Bill, or of a Resolution on the Second Reading of a Bill which traverses the principle of the Bill. When a Bill has been read a second time, the House has assented to the principle of the Bill. There is a reservation with regard to Instructions. If an Instruction were to traverse the principle of a Bill, or go so far outside the limits and scope and framework of the Bill as to set up an alternative scheme, or a counter proposition to the Bill, that would virtually be a Second Reading Debate over again. It would be an Amendment to the principle of the Bill, and would therefore INSTRT7CTI0NS TO COMMITTEES. 83 reduce to a minimum, and would nullify altogether the provision which the House has passed in the Standing Order, which states that when the House is prepared to go into Committee the Speaker should leave the Chair at once, without any Question put. There is nothing in the pre- cedents which go beyond an Instruction of this nature — an Instruction to amplify the machinery of the Bill to carry out the general purpose and scope of the Bill within the general framework and idea of the Bill. There is no Instruction since the alteration of the Standing Order which could be construed into the traversing of the principle of the Second Beading of a Bill. In Mr. Speaker's opinion an abuse of the principle of Instructions will be fatal to the transaction of Business. Of. I'urchase of Land (Ireland) BOl : Instructions. Of. also. Local Ta.xatiou Duties Bill, pp. 527-8.— June 10, 1890. Vol. 345, pp. 347-9.— July 9, 1890. If the existing powers of a Committee are exceeded, an Instruction is required to enable the Committee to consider a special matter referred to it. In this case, the Government having intimated that they proposed to have the subject •of the new form of taking the Estimates referred to the Public Accounts Commiitee, objection was taken that the functions of that Committee are laid down in the Standing Orders, and not concerned in any way with the mode of putting Votes from the Chair, or with the question of Procedure in the House, and that the reference of such a question as suggested would be an extension of the province and powers of the Com- mittee. Mr. Speaker ruled ut supra. Cf . Conduct of Business : Arrangement of Votes. Vol. 341, p. 1522.— February 28, 1890. On the Government for Ireland Bill, there being thirteen Instructions on that Paper, the majority of which were not in order, Mr. Speaker •explained the principles which guide and limit the system of Instructions, ut seq. " First — An Instruction must empower the Committee to do something which the Committee is not otherwise empowered to do ; secondly, the purpose of the Instruction must be supplementary and auxiliary to the purpose of the Bill, and must fall within "the general scope and framework of the Bill ; thirdly, it is irregular to introduce into the Bin by an Instruction to the Committee a subject which should properly form the substance of a distinct measure, having regard to usage and the general practice of enacting distinct Statutes for distinct branches of law." And Mr. Speaker ruled out of order : — Instruction No. 1. — As its subject should properly form the subject of a separate Measure, and was in another respect unnecessary. Instruction No. 2. — As its matter was of such transcendent importance that it could not be brought within the scope of the Bill. The ad referendum being a proposal to enable the electors to over-ride a decision of the House, to go over the heads of the elected representatives of the people, and to submit to the electors geoerally whether a. Bill of this great magnitude should come iuto force or not. Instruction No. 3. — As unnecessary, being within the powers of the Committee. 84 INSTEUCTIONS TO COMMITTEES. Instructions Nos. 4 and 5, dealing vrith the Army and Militia, as beyond the scope- of the Bill, as dictating to the Executive and to the authorities of the Army in the matter of the movement of troops from one portion of the Kingdom to another. Instruction No. 6.— As unnecessary ; iavolving merely a local referendum, excluding a portion of the United Kingdom from the operation of the Bill. Instruction No. 7. — As unnecessary, being within the powers of the Committee. Instruction No. 8.— As too indefinite, but, so far as intelligible, not necessary. Instruction No. 9. — As a Land Bill of the widest scope forming a distinct subject of legislation, such as could not be brought within the framework of the Bill. Instruction No. 10. — As falling within the same category. Instruction No. 12. — As unnecessary, its object being within the powers of the- Committee. Instruction No. 13. — For the same reason. Cf. The Home Eule Bill. Vol. 12, pp. 205-7.— May 5, 1893. Deferring Committee Stage : To allow. On an occasion when the Order for Committee was read and Motion made " That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair," there being no- Instruction to the Committee before the House, but there being a desire to move such, Mr. Speaker suggested that under the circumstances, to allow an opportunity for an Instruction to be moved, it would be con- venient to defer the Committee stage, which course was adopted, and notices given. Cf. Eating of Machinery BiU. Vol. 3, p. 965.— April 7, 1892. Premature Motion for. It is not in order to move an Instruction to a Committee before it is- decided to what Committee the Bill is to be referred. In this case there was a Motion under Debate for committing a Bill to the Standing Committee on Law, and a Member referring to Instructions to the Committee on th& Paper, and objection being taken, Mr. Speaker ruled ut supra. Cf. Intoxicating Liquors (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 353, p. 1164. — May 26, 1891. Cf. also. London Improvement Bill. Vol. 11, p. 1291. — April 27, 1893. Bill Committed : Motion not entertained. On the Order for Committee being read and Motion made and Question ' proposed, an hon. Member asks if, having given notice of an Instruction he could move it now, the Bill having been committed the day before, for the present day. Mr. Speaker ruled that he could not entertain the Motion at that stage. He could, not remain in the Chair so long as they had the Order for Committee on the Paper. ■ Cf. Local Authorities (Voting and Qualification Bill). Vol. 8, p. 1864.— February 16, 1893. Ohjection to : Not sustained. In the case of the Equalisation of Rates (London) Bill, a Member desired to move an Instruction to extend the provisions of the Bill ta INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMITTEES 85 West Ham ; and, objection being taken that the district was outside the provisions of the Bill — Mr. Speaker ruled the Instruction in order, as although West Ham was not in the Metropolitan Area it was in the Police Area, and so it was in order to move an Instruc- ition to bring it within the scope of the Bill. Cf. Equalisation of Rates (London) Bill. Vol. 28, pp. 34-5. — August 3, 1894. Negatived and Out of Order. On the Order of the Committee being read, and an Instruction moved and negatived, the other Instructions on the Paper being out of order, the Speaker should strictly and technically leave the Chair, there being now no Question before the House. In this case the Speaker decided rot to leave the. Chair if the House objected. Ultimately, it being after midnight, further proceeding on going into Committee stood adjourned. Cf. Tithe Rent-Charge Recovery Bill. Vol. 345, pp. 136-8. — June 5, 1890. Cf. also. Electoral Disabilities Bill, p. 1874.— June 24, 1890. Private Bills : On Re-commitment. The Re-committal of a Bill does not operate to the prejudice of a Mem- ber who desires to move an Instruction. Cf. London Streets and Building Bill. Vol. 25, p. 1546.— June 20, 1894. Bills: To Divide. An Instruction to divide a Bill into two parts for the purpose of re-arrangement, or of taking one portion before another, or of postponing one portion to a more convenient season, is in order. Cf . Local Government (England and Wales) Bill. Vol. 18, p. 1089.— November 16, 1893. An Instruction to divide a Bill into two parts, not for the purpose of discussing the merits of either portion of the Bill but for re -arrangement, etc., is in order. Ibid. p. 1089. In this case Mr. Speaker said — "There are four Instructions to the Committee on the Paper. The first Instruction is out of order, for it deals with the election of Municipal Corporations, which does not come within the scope of the Bill. The second Instruction is in Order, as it purposes to divide the Bill into two parts, not for the purpose of discussing the merits of either portion of the Bill but for the purpose of re-arrangement, or of taking one portion before another, or of postponing one portion to a more convenient season. But it would not be in order to discuss the Poor Law on an Instruction. The third Instruction can be done without the intervention of an Instruction. The fourth Instruction has given me considerable trouble ; but, I think, on the whole, it would be safer to adopt the measure suggested. As regards the first part, however, it would be in the power of the Committee to re-insert clauses, so as to restore the classes which it is asserted are disfranchised under its provisions in the Bill, 86 INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMITTEES. and no Instruction is necessary for such a purpose. The remaining part of the Instruc- tion ' To enfranchise, for the purpose of this Act, all those women, whether married or single, who would be entitled to he on the Local Government Register of Electors, or on the Parliamentary Register of Electors, if they were men,' is in Order." An Instruction is necessary to divide a Bill into two parts ; but it is necessary that a Bill should actually lend itself to such division, and that the Instruction can properly perform the operation. If a Bill in which there was no natural line of division were so divided with the object of omitting a particular clause, the principle could be applied to any Bill from which any Member wished to omit a particular clause. Cf. Evicted Tenants (Ireland) Arbitration Bill. Vol. 27, pp. 1028-9.— July 26, 1894. Excessive : Exceeding scope. An Instruction containing a .proposal to substitute an entirely new- tribunal for that proposed in the Bill is irregular. Cf. Private Bill Procedure (Scotland) Bill. Vol. 352, p. 155.— April 9, 1891. Instructions which are without the scope of the Bill and are beyond the Res9lution which the House came to in the Preliminary Committee upon which the leave for the introduction of the Bill was founded, and Instructions which are mandatory, are out of order. Cf. Elementary Education BUI. Vol. 354, p. 1870.— June 30, 1891. Where not any one of the clauses of a Bill deals with any matter cog- nate to the subject of the Instruction, the Instruction is out of order and cannot be maintained. Cf . Loudon County Council (General Powers) BiU. (Deputy-Speaker). Vol. 3, p. 1643.— April 29, 1892. An Instruction dealing with a matter which does not come within the scope of the Bill is out of order. Cf. Local Government (England and Wales) BiU. Vol. 18, p. I089.-November 16, 1893. Cf. also. Local Government (Scotland) BiU. Vol. 24, pp. 1079-80.- May 22, 1894. An Instruction proposing such sweeping changes as practically to con- stitute a new Bill, and being vague in terms, with no limitation and no indication as to how the Instruction could be earned out, is not in order. Cf. Equalisation of Rates (London) Bill. Vol. 28, p. 40. — August 3, 1894. INSTRtrCTIONS TO COMMITTEES. 87 To strike a Bill out of a cluster after Second Reading. When tlie House has sanctioned the Second Reading of a cluster of Bills, to move an Instruction to the Committee that they have power to strike out one Bill, is quite an unprecedented exercise of the right of Instruction, and would not be in order. Cf. Water (Provisional Orders) Bill. Vol. 12, p. 1230.— May 18, 1893. Charges : Involving. An Instruction which involves a public charge, and expenditure from the Imperial Exchequer, is out of order. Cf. Dublin Banacks Improvement Bill. Vol. 4, pp. 807-12.— May 19, 1892. Cf. also. Finance Bill. Vol. 24, p. 1218.— May 24, 1894. In his case there were two Instructions on the Paper to the Committee on the Finance Bill, the first raising a charge on property. Mr. Speaker ruled that this could only be done by Resolution sanctioned in Committee of Ways aad Means. The second dealt with settlements, which also was not covered by any previous Resolution, sanctioned in Committee of Ways and Means. Both were therefore out of order. Standing Orders : To Suspend. An Instruction to confer on a Committee the power to suspend the operation of a Standing Order of the House is out of order. A Standing Order can be altered by a Resolution of the House, but a Committee cannot do so, as it has never been delegated tb a Committee to exercise such a power. Cf. Government of Ireland BiU. Vol. 12, pp. 345-6.— May 8, 1893. Unnecessary. An Instruction which proposes what can be done in Committee without Instruction is unnecessary, and, as such, will not be put. Cf. Small Agricultural Holdings Bill. Vol. 3, p. 669.— April 4, 1892. Cf . also. Local Government (Scotland) Bill. Vol. 24, pp. 1079-80.— May 22, 1894. Motion with the object of precluding Instructions : Attempt to Amend. When a number of Instructions have been placed on the Paper, an Amendment upon the first of such Instructions resembling the Motion that the House do pass to the Orders of the Day, by which the House disembarrasses itself of a matter which it does not wish to pass judgment on, and proceeds to its appointed Business, i.s not out of order. Mr. Speaker added — "The Motion \s primd facie to be regarded with some suspicion as a form of Closure ; but, on the other hand, I must call the attention of the House to the fact that there are a great number of Instructions on the Paper, more than one, I think, being in the name of the same hon. Member. This is the first Session, I think, that this practice has been extensively adopted, and there are two other Bills in regard to which Notices of a still larger number of Instructions have 88 INSTEUCTIONS TO COMMITTEES. been given. In my opinion, the House oug;ht to take notice of this. The new Rule that the Speaker should leave the Chair without Question being put would obviously be somewhat modified, if not robbed altogether of force, if a great number of Instructions are put down so as to prevent the Speaker from leaving the Chair — Instructions which, in the case before us, might occupy the House for several Sittings ; and if one hon. Member is to be entitled to put down more than one Instruction in his name, it gives him a greater right of speaking than he has on the Second Reading of the Bill itself. I only wish to put the matter as fairly as I can in both aspects, because there are inconveniences on both sides. I quite admit that the Motion standing in the name of the right hon. gentleman would, if carried, exclude every Instruction on the Paper, some of them of importance, which the House might very probably wish to discuss. I imagine the right hon. gentleman put down his Motion as a protest against the growing abuse of the rights of hon. gentlemen. I am not for a moment imputing any blame to any individual hon. Member, but the collective result of all these Instructions is practically to defeat the meaning and spirit of the Standing Order." Cf. The Allotments Bill : Procedure. Vol. 344, pp. 18-21.— May 2, 1890. Irregular: Attempt to Amend. If an Instruction is out of order, it is impossible to move an Amend- ment to bring it into order. Cf. The Allotments Bill: Procedure. Vol. 344, p. 22.— May 2, 1890. It is not competent to amend an Instruction by adding provisioDS apart from the purpose of the Bill. Cf. Electoral Disabilities Bill. Vol. 345, p. 1869.— June 24, 1890. Enlargement of. An attempt to add words to an Instruction when moved, which would be an enlargement of the Instruction, is out of order. Probably the preferable course would be to put off the Instruction till the Amendment could be moved. Notice was accordingly given and the Debate adjourned. Cf. Education (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 6, p. 562.— June 3, 1892. A motion for an Instruction to a Committee is a substantive Motion by itself, and the discussion ought properly to be confined to the terms of the Instruction. Cf. Representation of the People Bill. Vol. 287, p. 806.— April 28, 1884. Prefatory Words. It is not usual to preface an Instruction with words to explain the reasons for submitting it. The proper form is to instruct the Committee to insert clauses to carry out the views of the Member moving. Cf. City and South London Railway Bill. Vol. 361, p. 382.— March 6, 1891. INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMITTEES. 89 Bill: Attempt to Discuss on Instruction. When a Bill has heen read a second time its principle has been affirmed, and in moving an Instruction a Member must confine himself thereto, and not discuss the Bill. Cf. City and South London fiailway Bill. Instruction to Committee. Vol. 9, p. 1416.— March 9, 1893. Private Bills. Notice of. When a Private Bill has been read a second time and committed to a Select Committee, an Instruction to the Committee requires notice. Cf. Metropolis Kailway BUI. Vol. 28.5, p. 1265.— March 11, 1884. After Petition, Right to Move : Mandatory Instruction. It is competent for a Member who has petitioned against a Bill, whose locus standi has been established, to move an Instruction to the Committee. There is a distinction between a Committee on a Private Bill and Com- mittees of the House. An ordinary Instruction to a Committee of the House is permissive. A mandatory and compulsory Instruction to a Select Committee may be moved, even if it refers to a point they have already power to deal with. Cf. Dublin, Wicklow, and Wexford Eailway Bill. Vol. 287, p. 875-6.— April 29, 1884. On Consideration. On the Order for Consideration as Amended, there being a Notice to B,e-commit and a Notice of Instruction, the Instruction not being down by Order could not then be taken if opposed. It could only be taken by agreement on both sides. The Motion for Re-committal could be taken at once, being by Order. Cf. Thames Conservancy Bill.. Vol. 26, p. 391, June 28, 1894. Irregular : Altering Preliminary Procedure. An Instruction which refers to a preliminary procedure, which is now subject to and under the jurisdiction of the examiners and governed by Standing Orders in relation to Private Bills, which would alter the pre- liminary procedure previous to the BiU being presented to Parliament, and contemplates an alteration in Private BiU procedure previous to the Bill being put into the form in which the House is asked to adopt it (and in this instance was outside the scope of the Bill before the House), cannot be moved. Cf. Private Bill Procedure (Scotland) Bill. Vol. 352, p. 154.— April 9, 1891. 90 INSTETJCTIONS TO COMMITTEES. Particular Exemption. It would not be in order to move an Instruction to a Committee to exempt a particular locality from a general statute applicable all over the United Kingdom. Cf. Eastbourne Improvement Act, 1885, Amendment Bill. Vol. 2, pp. 627-8.— March 11, 1892. Crown Rights : Invading. An Instruction whicli invades the rights of the Crown is irregular. Cf. DubKn, "Wicklow, and Wexford Railway, &c.. Bill. Vol. 25, p. 1206.— June 15, 1894. Beyond the Scope of the Bill. It would not be in order to propose to make it a condition precedent to the sanction by the House of a particular line that on all the lines of the system of the company accommodation should be provided for pas- senger traffic. It would be contrary to the practice of the House to- impose such a condition on a company before a particular line — a mineral line, in which no question of passenger traffic arises — is sanctioned. If thought desirable general legislation should be invoked. Cf. Barry Railway Bill. Vol. 26, p. 561.— June 29, 1894. Irrelevant to Bill. Cf. Dublin, Wioklow, and Wexford Railway, &c.. Bill. Vol. 25, p. 1206.— June 16, 1894. Unnecessary. Cf. East London Water Bill. Vol. 26, p. 116. — June 25, 1894. Extinguishing Rights existing. An Instruction being moved to the Committee on the Bill to report,. inter alia, whether it is necessary to extinguish the rights of the com- moners and the user of the commons by farmers, &c., Mr. Speaker is- asked whether commoners and farmers, having rights of user over the property, would not be entitled to be heard before a Hybrid Committee. Mr. Speaker—" My o-wn opinion is that the Instruction is necessary from the point of view of those -who have moved it, for this reason : No doubt the occupiers of the land would have a right of locus standi so far as any water abstracted from them might be in question, but when it came to their rights of common -water 1 think it might be a very grave question indeed whether they would have a locus standi as appealing to- the Committee on behalf of the common, as distinguished from their water rights. I kno-w that all Petitions presented to the Committee might be considered, but I am not at all sure that a Hybrid Committee might not have power to reject a Petition, as I believe has once before been done some years ago. It is for that reason that I think —it may be out of abundance of caution perhaps, but I still think — that the Instruc- tion would be necessary from the point of view of those who have moved it. Cf. Birmingham Corporation Water Bill. Vol. 2, p. 626. — March 11, 1892. JOURNALS OF THE HOUSE. MEMBERS. 91 Douhtful Instruction. In this case the Bill was one to repeal a single clause in a Private Bill, giving the authorities (Eastbourne) power to prohibit bands and Sunday processions. Motion was made to instruct the Committee " That they have power to inquire and report whether any further or other special provision with respect to pronessions on Sunday in Eastbourne should be inserted In the Bill," and a difference arising whether such Instruction were necessary or not, and appeal being made to Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker advised that in view of the doubts expressed ' ' it would be far better that there should be an expression of the opinion of the House that they (the Committee) have that power to inquire into the question. It is not a mandatory Instruction ; it is only a declaration that the flommittee have the power, and under the circumstance I think it is expedient that the Instruction should he given." Motion agreed to. Of. Eastbourne Improvement Act, 1886, Amendment Bill. Vol. 3, pp. 321-4-5.— March 31, 1892. JOURNALS OF THE HOUSE. Incorrect Entry : Committee. If a Member complains of an incorrect entry in the Votes of Proceed- ings in Committee, he should make a representation to the Chairman of Committees. The Speaker is only cognizant of what takes place when he is in the Chair. Cf. Public Business. Committee of Supply. Incorrect Entry in Votes. Vol. 309, p. 28.— September 10, 1886. If a Member can substantiate his assertion that there is an error ira the Votes and Proceedings, Mr. Speaker will have it altered. But Mr. Speaker cannot decide before he is acquainted with what took place. In this case a Member complains that, on a Member moving " That the liuestion be now put," the Chairman of Committees rose and put a different question, viz. " That the Question that clause 2 stand part of the Bill be now put " which had not been moved. The Chairman of Committees, at the suggestion of Mr. Speaker, offering an explanation, Mr. Speaker decided '■ That there was no error in the record." Cf. Mr. Russell and The Closure. Vol. 10, pp. 1134-7.- March 27, 1893. MEMBEPvS. Parliamentary/ Oath. (Case of Mr. Bradlaugh.J Mr. Speaker having taken the oath, and having, as usual, reminded Members that their first duty was to take the oath prescribed by the law, acquainted the House that he had received certain letters from hon. Members protesting against Mr. Bradlaugh taking the oath, and asking the opinion of Mr. Speaker. ■92 MEMBERS. Mr. Speaker, premising that the Speaker does not take original and independent authority upon himself, said — " It is always by the action of the House, in consequence of something that has occurred during that Parliament. We are assembled in a new Parliament. I know nothing of the Resolutions of the past. They have lapsed, they are void, they are of no effect in reference to this case. It is the right, the legal statutahle ohugation of Members when returned to this House, to come to this Table and take the oath prescribed by statute. I have no authority, I have no right, original or delegated, to interfere between an hon Member and his taking of the oath. 1 have been further asked whether, when the House is completed, and after a quorum has been constituted, it would be competent for a Motion to be made intervening between the hon . Member for Northampton and his taking of the oath ? 1 have come clearly and without hesitation to the conclusion that it would neither be my duty to prohibit the hon. gentleman from coming, nor to permit a Motion to be made standing between him and his taking of the oath. The hon. Member takes that oath under whatever risks may attach to him in a Court of Law. But it is not for me — I respectfully say it is not for the House — to enter into any inquisition as to what may be the opinions of a Member when he comes to the Table to tnke the oath. I am bound, and the House is bound, by the forms of the House and by the legal obligations and rights of Members. If a Member comes to this Table and oilers to take the oath, I know of no right what- ever to intervene between him and the performance of a legal and statutable duty." Mr. Speaker further ruled ' ' That there was a difftrence between an hon. Member calling the Speaker's attention to a Point of Order and making a speech. An hon. Member, not having yet taken the oath, could not make a speech." Cf. Parliamentary Oath (Mr. Bradlaugh). Vol. 302, pp. 21-4.— January 13, 1886. Attendance Ordered. On the Older of the Day being; read that a Member do attend the House in his place, if he does not appear it is a proof that he has not •complied with the Order of the House. Cf. Attendance of Mr. De Cobain. Vol. 1, p. 1032.— February 2, 1892. Barristers in Parliament. Restrictions on. By Resolution (1830) Members are forbidden to promote in the House, by themselves or their partners, Private Bills in which they are engaged. By Resolution (1858). " It is contrary to the usage and derogatory to the dignity of this House that any of its Members should bring forward, promote, or advocate in this House any proceeding or measure in which he may have acted or been concerned for, or in consideration of any pecuniary fee or reward." This « as strictly confined to cases in which a Member, in his public capacity as a Member of Parliament, advocated a particular person's cause, or promoted any case, .and received a pecuniary reward for so doing. That is the distinction. This does not extend to forbidding a Member to engage in the House on a subsequent occasion in a Debate relating to a case in which he has been engaged, after the case has been decided. It is not contrary to order. It is for the legal profession to say whether it is con- trary to legal etiquette. Cf. Barristers and Parliament. Vol. 8, pp. 1052-6.— February 10, 1893. MEMBERS. 9» Expulsion from House. It is customary to give Notice to an incriminated Member to' attend the House. But where the Member has made confession of the offence charged it is competent for the House to proceed without the attendance of the Member, though it is right that the Member be informed of the course the House is about to adopt in his case. In this case the Speaker had heen acquainted, by letter from one of the judges, that a Memher had been convicted before him upon his own confession of a misdemeanor and sentenced to twelve calendar months' imprisonment. On a Motion that the letter be read and taken into consideration, in reply to a question from the First Lord of the Treasury Mr. Speaker ruled ut supra, and the letter being read and considered, Order was made that the Member be expelled this House. Cf. Central Criminal Court. Imprisonment of Captain Vemey, M.P. Vol.353, pp. 258-9.— May 7, 1891. And Captain Edmund Hope Vemey, M.P. Ibid, pp. 573-7.— May 12, 1891. Objection being taken that in all previous Orders of the Day having regard to the case of a Member the terms had always been placed upon the Order Paper (in this case in these terms only — Mr. Hastings — Motion for Expulsion) — Mr. Speaker stated that the Notice was sufficient, and the usual course had been followed. ' ' Expulsion has taken place without the grounds being previously placed upon the Paper. This is not an Order of the Day, but a Question of Privilege, which is fixed before the Orders of the Day.' ' The terms of a Eesolution of Expulsion have not always appeared. Cf. Mr. Hastings. Vol. 2, pp. 1339-40.— March 21, 1892. Suspension of. In answer to a question as to the rules of suspension in the House and in Committee — Mr. Speaker explained that there were two Standing Orders — one is entitled, " Order in Debate, Suspension of Members," and the other " Order in Debate, Disorderly Conduct." The Chairman of Committees is perfectly competent if circumstances should arise, and he may think it necessary, to order an hon. gentleman to withdraw from the House. I suppose as a lesser degree of punishment than would be entailed if he were named to the House and suspended from the service of the House, the suspen- sion, of course, carrying with it seven days' exclusion from the House, the withdrawal from the House only entailing withdrawing from the precincts of the House during that evening. There is no need to refer to the Speaker in the case of an order to with- draw. In the case of a. Member being named it would be necessary to refer to the Speaker, and the Speaker comes into the House, and again the Question is put whether the Member shall be suspended or not. But in this case, as I understand it, the Chairman, I suppose, took the more lenient view, so far as the degree of punishment was concerned ; and it was within his jurisdiction to do so. I am not, of course, entsring into the question of the circumstances, but it was perfectly competent for the Chairman to order the hon. gentleman to withdraw without reference to the Chair; no reference to the Chair is needed. I need not say I hope no appeal to the Chair will be made on this or any other occasion." Cf. Adjournment. The suspension of Mr. Sexton. Vol. 14, pp. 1370-72.— July 11, 1893. •94 MEMBERS. Douhle Return. If a -Member is returned for two places he is to make election for which of the places he will serve within one week after it shall appear that there is no question upon the return for that place. If a PetitLon be presented against the return of such Member for one of those con- stituencies he is not in a position to elect for which he shall serve. A Member cannot elect to choose which of two constituencies he shall sit for until he has been duly returned for both. He is not duly returned for both so long as his return for one of them is still subjudice; and it U an old and very well-established and well known practice of this House that, until there is no question as to the return of a Member for either of the constituencies for which he is returned, he is not able to make his choice of either. The Speaker would therefore decline to read to the House a letter from a Member making his election under such circumstances, or to put o. Motion for the Speaker to issue his warrant for a new writ. It is a well understood Rule of the House that, if a Member is returned for two places, he can sit, but it is impossible for the Speaker to say for which be is sitt'ng till the Court has decided upon his return. Cf. New writ. Double Return for Belfast Borough and Sligo County. Vol. 308, pp. 168-9.— August 20, 1886. Language of: Under Review by the House. When language attributed to an hon. Member is under the considera- tion of the House the usual course is for the Member, having been heard, to withdraw. Cf. Parliament. Privilege. Speech of Mr. Bright. Vol. 300, p. 266.— July 28, 1885. Pecuniary and Fersonal Interest. An hon. Member, having a small pecuniary interest in a scheme of the same character as a scheme then before the House, asks Mr. Speaker if that fact would prevent him voting against the scheme under considera- tion. Mr. Speaker — ' ' There is no Rule or custom of the House on the subject, and I should recommend each Member to be nuided by his own feehngs in the matter and to vote or abstain from voting, as he thinks fit. Of course hon. Members will understand that there is a risk of having their votes disallowed by the subsequent action of the House if the House should think their interest was too direct." Cf. Channel Tunnel (Experimental Works) Bill. Vol. 298, pp'. 341-2.— May 12, 1885. An hon. Member asserting that fifteen Members had a personal interest in a Question before the House, Mr. Speaker is asked if those Members were entitled to vote in the Division. Mr. Speaker — " That is entirely a matter for the consideration of the individual Members concerned, having regard to the directness of their interest." Cf. Manchester Ship Canal Bill. Vol. 303, p. 275.— March 9, 1886. A Question as to whether Members can vote who are interested can only be properly raised after the Division has been taken, when it will MEMBERS. 95 be for the House to allow or disallow, any votes. Motion may then be made " That the voce of Mr. be disallowed." Mr. Speaker will put the Question, first of all calling upon the Member to rise and make any statement he may please, and the Member thereafter with- draws. In the case of the Metropolis Water Bill, when the vote of a Director of a Metro- politan Water Company was challenged, Mr. Speaker pointed out that there was a distinction hetween Private Bills and Public Bills, that is to say, Bills of a private nature and Bills which involve questions of great public policy, and added — ' ' I am quite aware that, technically, and in form, this Bill is a Private Bill, but it involves great questions of public policy ; and I can find in the Journals no instance of a vote having been disallowed on a Public Bill. There are instances of votes having been •challenged, but in no instance has a vote been disallowed. Under these circumstances, it will be for the House to decide what amount of direct and personal interest the hon. Member may have in the Question, and whether his vote ought to be allowed or disallowed." (N B. — The vote was allowed on a division on the Question.) Cf. Metropolis Water Bill. Vol. 285, pp. 1222 and 1238-43.— March 11, 1884. Cf . also. Supply : Report. Vol. 2 (Ninth Series), pp. 259-61.— March 7, 1892. In this case a Member desiring to raise a Question on the Report Stage of Supply, which he had been precluded from doing on a previous night in Committee, viz., the right of three members to vote on a Question in which they were pecuniarily interested, Mr. Speaker states that when the House next goes into Committee of Supply the Member will have an opportunity. No matter how closely a Member may be interested in a Bill, he may try to persuade the House to his own way of thinking. It is quite com- petent for him to move the rejection of a Bill which he thinks militates against his own interest, however particular or close that interest may be. Whether it is possible for him to vote is another matter. Cf . Newcastle and Gateshead Water Bill. Vol. 24, pp. 1519-20.— May 29, 1894. Personal Explanation. If a Member desires to make an explanation in consequence of the reply to a Question put by another Member, the explanation should be reserved until the Questions are over. "• Cf . Mr. Commissioner McCarthy and Mr. T. W. RusseU. Vol. 354, pp. 165-6-9.— June 11, 1891. A Member cannot go beyond what is a sufficient personal explanation. Cf. Mr. Pritchard Morgan. Vol. 2, p. 1463.— March 22, 1892. If a Member is dealing with a charge that he has made an inaccurate statement to the House, the House generally allows the Member to make a personal explanation. Cf. A Personal Explanation. Vol. 10, p. 1199.— March 27, 1893. 96 MEMBERS. A personal explanation should be restricted to very narrow limits, otherwise it may give rise to debate and require another explanation. Of. Personal Explanations. Vol. 11, p. 23.— April 11, 1893. In making a personal explanation recrimination is to be avoided, nor must personal refleclions be made on a Member. In the absence of a Member who is involved in the explanation being made, possibly the House may think it not improper to listen to an explanation from a colleague. Cf. Personal Explanations. Vol. 14, pp. 816-18.— July i, 1893. Places : How secured. In reply to a Question as to the mode of securing seats in the House — Mr. Speaker — "I have to say that the conditions of securing a seat, so far as the hats are concerned, are these : — In the first place, that the hat should, undoubtedly, be the bona fide ordinary hat in daily use by the hon. Member. The second condition, which is almost implied in the first, is that the hon. Member who owns the hat must be within the precincts of the House, either in the Committee Booms upstairs, or else- where in the House. The third condition is that he must attend Prayers himself before he can secure a seat. I will remind the House that the whole Question is one of mutual arrangement and courtesy between Member and Member ; and, although I do not wish to anticipate it for a moment, should any inconvenience be felt it would be my duty to revert to the Standing Order on the subject, which I will read to the House : — ' No Member's name maybe affixed to any seat in the House before the hour of Prayers ; and that the Speaker is to give directions to the doorkeeper accordingly.' " Cf. Members' Places. Vol. 302, pp. 427-8.— January 26, 1886. Cf. also. Palace of Westminster. Members' Seats in this House — (When Mr. Speaker indicated that " the use of duplicate hats is a contravention of the spirit of the Eule.") Vol. 304, pp. 978-9.— April 7, 1886. Cf. also. Pp. 1315-16.— April 12, 1886. (When Mr. Speaker was of opinion that "merely placing a hat on a seat and leaving the House entirely — unless for the purpose of attending a Committee upstairs — did not entitle a Member to that seat.") There is no fixed rule or Standing Order. By custom, Members who have attended Prayers have a right to the seat they then occupy, and they assert their claim by putting a card at the back of the seats. Mem- bers engaged in Committee upstairs have been accustomed, a short time before the meeting of the House, to secure seats by placing their hats thereon, but the Member must attend at Prayers to establish his claim. By courtesy some seats are allotted to those who have occupied them for a long time. For a Member to use two or more hats to secure seats for himself or his friends is a violation of the Rule. Cf. Members and their Seats. Vol. 8, pp. 403-4. — February 3, 1893. Ibid., p. 1065. A Member may, however early, within a reasonable time before Prayers, put his hat upon a seat, and thereby lay the foundation of a claim to that seat. That claim can only be perfected and completed by the attendance at Prayers of the hon. gentleman who has placed the hat in the seat. MEMBERS. 97 After that time lie retains undisputed possession of the seat in question for the rest of the evening. The question between leading hat or gloves is one for the courtesy and forbearance of Members. A Member who places his hat on a seat is expected not to leave the precincts of the House. It is irregular to have two hats, i.e., to deposit one in the House and go away wearing the other, returning at Prayers. Cf. Memters' Seats and Hats. Vol. 14, p. 1484.— July 13, 1893. When, by reason of illness, it is inconvenient for Members to leave their hats in order to secure their seats, Mr. Speaker sees no objection to Members leaving a particular kind of card on the seat itself, thereby giving a sort of iniiiatory right to the seat. Cf. The Influenza Epidemic. Vol. 30, p. 1571.— February 26, 1895. Raised to the Peerage. The final termination of a Member's existence as a Member of the House, if the dignity of the Peerage has been conferred upon him, is the time when the letters-patent have passed the Great Seal. On the day itself, or as soon after as it issues. The Gazette states the fact that the letters-patent have passed the Great Seal : that is evidence of the fact that the hon. Member has ceased to be a Member of the House. Cf. Sir H. Vivian. The Peerage. Vol. 13, p. 540.— June 8, 1893. Questions referring to. An hon. Member is entitled to complain of a Question concerning him being put to the House without proper notice having been given, but he is not in order in re-trying the case with which he has been connected before the House. Cf. Personal Explanation. Mr. Storey. Vol. 351, p. 1074.— March 16, 1891. Right to Vote after appointment to Office. A Member who has been appointed to a post of emolument under the Crown is entitled to vote till the appointment is completed. Cf. Privilege. Mr. W. H. Smith's Eight to Vote. Vol. 353, p. 340.— May 7, 1891. Pairing. There is no official or Parliamentary recognition of the system of pairing. It is not recognised officially, and Mr. Speaker can take no note of any incident arising out of a vote given to a Member who is understood to have paired. It is a custom that has grown up owing to the convenience it affords to Members, and of course it is fully recog- nised by all that it must be conducted upon the most strictly honorable principles. No doubt a Member who has voted when he had paired will be able to give a completely satisfactory explanation. Cf. The System of " Pairing." Vol. 22, p. 1519.— April 6, 1894. 6 98 MESSAGES FEOM THE CEO"WN. MESSAGES FROM THE CROWN. Uncovering on Receiving . There is a distinction between Messages direct from the Crown under the Sign Manual and read from the Chair, and Messages in answer to Addresses from the House. With reference to the Speech from the Throne, what is read by the Speaker from the Chair is only a copy of the Speech which is delivered in another place before both Houses of Parlia- ment. It is therefore not regarded as directly emanating from the Sovereign, and neither by the rules of the House, nor by the custom of the House, is it obligatory for any Member to uncover. (N.B. — When a Member appears af- the Bar and informs the Speaker that he has a Message from Her Majesty to this House signed by Herself, he is desired to bring it up, and the Message is brought up to the Chair and read by the Speaker, all Members being unooyered; and their being uncovered is recorded in the Votes and on the Journals. But those are the only occasions on which Members are expected to be uncovered.) Cf . Parliament. Order. Uncovering of Members to Eoyal Message. Vol. 293, p. 260.— October 27, 1884. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. Correction of. Mr. Speaker is asked whether a Minister of the Crown having, in the face of the House, stated facts when those facts have been found in a Court of Law to be utterly inconsistent with what took place, is not bound to apologise to the House. Mr. Speaker ruled — ' ' There is no Point of Order, nor any point upon which a direc- tion from the Chair is necessary.' ' Cf. Public Meetings. Vol. 294, pp. 1038-9.— February 23, 1885. MOTIONS. Notice of: If a Member having obtained first place in the ballot gives Public Notice of his Motion, but does not hand in a Notice in writing lo the Clerk at the Table, he loses his precedence. Cf. Balloting and Notice Giving. Vol. 13, p. 1078.— June 16, 1893. MOTIONS. 99 Insufficient Notice. An hon. Member giving notice of the terms of the Resolution whiph lie proposed to move the same evening — Mr. Speaker said the Motion could not be made, as the notice was not suflScient. Of. Law and Justice (Ireland). Vol. 298, pp. 1345-6.— June 6, 1885. Adjournment of Opposed: Standing Order 16. Motions set down for consideration at the commencement of Public Business may be made, but, if objected to, the Speaker at once puts the Question for Adjournment after short explanatory statements by the mover and objector. Cf . School Board for London Superannuation Bill. Vol. 350, p. 329.— February 10, 1891. Amending : Form of. If it is desired to put a Motion in an ariiended form the original Motion must be first withdrawn : and Motion made and Question put as amended. Cf. The Parliamentary Oath (Mr. Bradlaugh). Vol. 349, pp. 1175-6.— January 27, 1891. A Motion being made, and a suggestion being made of an improved form by another Member, who begged to move it accordingly, Mr. Speaker suggested that the House might accept the Motion in the amended form. Cf. Mr. Ue Cobain. Vol. 1, p. 1402.— February 26, 1892. Irregular. Anticipating Bills. A Motion which anticipates a Bill before the House, or a Motion the whole subject of which is covered by the clauses of a Bill on the Paper, is out of order. Cf. IlUterate Voters. Vol. 10, pp. 462-3.— March 17, 1893. Cf . also. Crofters (Scotland) Act, 1886. Vol. 23, p. 1639.— April 27, 1894. Cf . also. The Enfranchisement of Women. Vol. 30, p. 1439.— February 22. 1895. Conflicting with a Previous Decision. If the House has affirmed that certain words stand, it is not competent to move in reversal of such decision. Cf. Private Bill Procedure (Scotland) Bill. Vol. 352, p. 161.— April 9, 1891. 100 MOTIONS. Irregular Language. An hon. Member having given notice to move, as an Amendment on the Committee Motion of the Parliamentary Elections Bill, " That the single-seat system has been specially adopted as a swindle on the people " — Mr. Speaker ruled " That the Notice would not appear in that form on the Paper,, the expression being irregular and such as ought not to have been used." Cf . The Irish Boundary Commissioners. Vol. 294, p. 1612.— February 27, 1885. Reflecting upon the Lords. A notice reflecting upon the ether branch of the Legislature is irregular, Cf. Parliament. House of Lords. Vol. 293, pp. 690-1.— July 10, 1884. (N.B. — An hon. Member gave notice to repeat the following Motion — " That, in the- opinion of this House, the continuance un-reformed of a Legislative Chamber of an irresponsible character, and with legislative functions founded largely on mer& accident of birth, is incompatible with wise legislation and antagonistic to the welfare of the people " — " The next time an irresponsible Chamber has the audacity to reject a Bill sent up by this House.") Containing two distinct Propositions. An hon. Member seeking to move as an Amendment to the Question — That a Bill be novf considered (as amended by the Standing Com- mittee) : — " That, in the opinion of this House, it is not expedient that Police Pensions in England should be on a higher scale than in Scotland, and that it is desirable that this Bill be re-committed to the same Com- mittee of the whole House to which the Police (Scotland) Bill has been committed : " Mr. Speaker— "It would be out of order to put that Motion, because it contains- two very distinct propositions, which cannot be taken together." Cf. PoUoe Bill. Vol. 347, pp. 1659-60.— August 2, 1890. Opposed. Irregular Question. A Motion being made for the appointment of a Select Committee, and objection being taken, it is not out of order to put a Question as to the intentions of the Government in respect thereto. Cf . Land Acts (Ireland) Select Committee. Vol. 23, pp. 305-6.— April 12, 1894. Postponement of. If an hon. Member desires to postpone his Motion, and there is no- opposition, it will be done as a matter of course. Cf. Cork Butter Market BiU. Vol. 286, p. 273.— March 20, 1884. If a motion is postponed it must be to another day. It cannot be- postponed to the end of the Sitting. Cf. Building Societies Bill. Vol. 10, p. 526.— March 20, 1893. OFFICEKS OF THE HOTJSi;. "^ ' " 101 Returns moved for by a Member other than that m^kdsename the Motion stands, ""'" It is competent for an hon. Member to move, on behalf of another hon. Member, for a Return which has received the consent of the Government and is unopposed. Cf . Parliament. Order. Board of Supervision. Vol. 304, p. 261.— March 30, 1886. Withdrawal of, and attempt to renew on an earlier day. Mr. Speaker is asked whether, in the event of an hon. Member with- drawing a Notice of Motion, it would be in the power of another hon. Member to bring the Question-forward on an earlier occasion, before the date originally fixed for the Motion. Mr. Speaker ruled that an hon. Member having given notice of Motion and having withdrawn it, could not move one in terms almost identical with those which had been placed on the Paper for a future day. But Mr. Speaker was not prepared to say that another hon. Member, the Motion being withdrawn and being now off the Paper, might not move it in geneial terms. Cf. Eoyal Irish Constabulary. Vol. 296, pp. 1018-9.— March 30, 1885. Amendments to : Mover of. A Member who has spoken on the main Question cannot move an Amendment. Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 1, p. 1820.— March 3, 1892. Irregular Am,endments, An Amendment inconsistent with what the House has already passed, or which would stultify the preceding part of the Motion, is out of order and Mr. Speaker will decline to put it. Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 2, p. 585.— March 10, 1892. OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE. The Clerlt, of the House : Resignation. The Clerk of the House acquaints Mr. Speaker by letter of his resig- nation of the office of Clerk of the House of Commons, which he holds by patent from Her Majesty, and Mr. Speaker, after reading the letter to the House, avails himself of the opportunity of recording his sense of the services of the Clerk. Whereupon the First Lord of the Treasury gives notice that he will to-morrow move a vote of thanks to the Clerk. 102 ORDEB. And accordingly, on the morrow, Motion is made and Question pro- posed, and the same being put is agreed to nemine contradicenle. Cf. Sir Thomas Erskiue May, K.C.B., Clerk of the House of Commons. Vol. 304, pp. 1631-4.— AprU 15, 1886. And pp. 1774-8.— April 16. The Serjeant-at-Arms : Retirement. The Serjeant-at-Arms, desirous of retiring, requests, by letter, Mr, Speaker's sanction, and Mr. Speaker communicates the letter to the House. Cf. Ketirement of the Serjeant-at-Arms. Vol. 299, p. 1213.— July 20, 1885. OEDER. Point of: When to he raised. A question of Order must be raised at the moment, not subsequently. In this case a Member sought to ask another Member if he was correctly reported to have used in the course of last night's Debate words which the Member stated the Chairman had not heard, and Mr. Speaker ruled ut supra. Cf. The Discussion of Supplemental Estimates. Vol. 9, pp. 974-5.— March 3, 1893. PERMISSION OF THE HOUSE. The " permission of the House " does not mean the unanimity of the House, but the general pleasure of the House. Cf. Infants Bill. Vol. 291, p. 1331.— July 31, 1884. PETITIONS. Presentation of. It is only usual, in presenting a Petition, to state its general purport. Cf. The EiTers Pollution Bill and the Leicester County Council. Vol. 26, p. 322.— June 27, 1894. Reading on Presentation. If an hon. Member presenting a Petition desires it to be read by the Clerk at the Table it can be done so, but it would not be in order for another hon. Member to make the Motion. Cf. The Local Taxation Bill. Vol. 346, p. 37.— June 26, 1890. PETITIONS. 103 A Member should not attempt to read a Petition. If he desires it read, it is read by the Clerk at the Table. Otherwise the usual practice is for the Member in presenting it to state the substance of the Petition. Cf. Petitions : Point of Order. Vol. 356, p. 109.— JvJy 23, 1891. Signatories to : Age of. There is no limitation of age of signatories of Petitions. If, however, it was known that a whole school of boys or girls had signed a Petition, it would be the duty of a Member to bring the matter before the Chair- man of the Committee on Petitions, to ascertain if compulsion had been used. It would be a violation of the Rules that an individual should sign repeated Petitions for the same purpose in the same place. If the Petitions came from different localities it might be permissible for the same person to sign more than one Petition if he had interests in such localities. Cf. Petitions against Home Eule. Vol. 11, pp. 774-6.— April 20, 1893. Signatures forged. A Member appealing to Mr. Speaker in the matter of Petitions which he had been asked to present, and which he found contained forged signatures — Mr. Speaker explained that a Member might refuse to accept a Petition which was not in accord with the custom or Rules of the House ; or he might refer it to the petitioners to obtain more accurate information as to the signatures; or he might, which was probably the best course, bring the matter officially under the notice of the Committee of Petitions in the House. Under the latter it would be aduty to move an Instruction to the Committee that they should ascertain, with such information as the Member could give them, the truth or falsity of the signatures attached to the petition. And, a Member stating that he had received a Petition on a printed form which he did not mean to present — Mr. Speaker said a Member would be entitled to refuse to present a Petition which is against the Rule prohibiting the presentation of petitions on printed forms. The presentation of Petitions in the House is a very solemn right, and no ridicule ought to be thrown at it (this in reference to a Member stating that signatures had been obtained ■without giving free drinks) . As to signatures, it is a very grave offence against the dignity and honor of the House to present petitions with any names not genuine. Cf. The Presentation of Petitions. Vol. 10, pp. 1298-1300.— March 28, 1893. If the Select Committee on Public Petitions specially report that many of the signatures to a Petition are in the same handwriting, and that complaints have been made that signatures have been obtained by false representations, the practice is for the Committee to recommend that the previous Order that the Petition do lie upon the Table be read and dis- charged, and that the Petition be rejected. It is a matter for the opinion of the House what action should be taken in respect of such con- tempt of Parliament. As the question appertains to the privileges of the House, it might be brought forward at the commencement of business. 104 PREVIOUS QUESTION. PRINTING A PAPER. on the action of the Committee in the first instance, or, if either the Chairman or some other Memher of the Committee does not bring the matter forward within reasonable time, any private Member can then do so. As affecting the Privileges of the House, and the right of petitioning the House, the matter might be brought forward at any time. Cf. Public Petitions Committee. Vol. 16.— August 30, 1893. Record of. In reply to a Question whether a Petition which had been presented and read by the Clerk could be placed on the Minutes of the House and appear as part of the proceedings, Mr. Speaker said it would be treated in the ordinary way. Cf. Petition. The Opium Trade. Vol. 1, pp. 810-1. -February 19, 1892. Discussion on. Personal grievances of pressing urgency may be discussed immediately on the Petition being presented. But if the Petition has reference to a general grievance only it cannot be debated. (Standing Orders 79, 80.) Cf. Petition. The SaKord Gas Frauds. Vol. 343, pp. 1809-10.— May 1, 1890. Referring to One Committee on a Bill various Petitions. It would be irregular to refer to one Committee on a Bill Petitions referring to several Bills which might be referred to several Committees. Cf. Railways Rates and Charges Bill. Petitions. Vol. 294, p. 1886.— March 3, 1885. PREVIOUS QUESTION. The Pre%ious Question is put in the form — " That the Question be not now' put." Cf. Breach of Privilege. Vol. 8, p. 1607.— February 16, 1893. PRINTING A PAPER. Authority for. The Order of the House is required to print a Paper laid on the Table. Cf. New Writ, North Meath. Vol. 8, p. 407.— February 3, 1893. PRIVATE BUSINESS. PRIVILEGE. 105 PRIVATE BUSINESS. Motion : Objected to. An hon. Member called the attention of Mr. Speaker to a Motion fitanding in his name in reference to a BiU, and stated that he had not given in the Motion, and was in fact opposed to it. Mr. Speaker stated that it had been handed in by another hon. Member, with no name attached, and by an error the name of the Member now objecting was put down as the mover. The Member who was responsible for the Motion accepted the full responsibility and sought to move it, but on objection thereto the Speaker ruled it could not be taken that day, but might be taken to-morrow. Cf . Private Business : London County Council BiU. Vol. 342, p. 1803.— March 25, 1890. PRIVILEGE. Language outside the House. The Speaker has no cognizance of language used outside the House, and has no jurisdiction. Cf. Privilege. ' Vol. 303, p. 123.— March 8, 1886. Mr. Speaker is not the judge of what constitutes a breach of Privilege outside of this House. In this case complaint was made of words which, if used inside the House, Mr. Speaker would have considered them a breach of Parliamentary etiquette. Cf . Lord Gr. Hamilton and Mr Labouchere. Vol. 341, p. 1653.— March 3, 1890. If a Member asks permission of the House to raise a matter ol Privilege upon a speech delivered by a Member outside the House he cannot make a statement and enter into arguments as to the meaning and effect of such speech. Matters of Privilege are much restricted. It is usual in such cases to read the incriminated passages to the House, and then to see whether they constitute primd facie a case of Privilege. Unless the passages in question related to the action or to the conduct of any hon. Member in the House they do not constitute a breach of Privilege. In this case the incriminated passages having been read by the Clerk at the Table, Mr. Speaker stated that as they were comments on the decision of the Judges, which it was competent for any Member to make, provided that they do not reflect upon the action of Members, no question of Privilege could be sustained, and Mr. Speaker suggested that perhaps the best way would be to ask the hon. Member for an explana- tion, which was given. Cf . Privilege. Sir W. Marriott and Mr. Pamell. Vol. 343, pp. 181-7.— March 28, 1890. 106 PRIVILEGE. Words made use of by a Member of the House reflecting upon other Members or a Party of the House, if not made in the House, are not within the jurisdiction of the Speaker. But a Member may ask for a personal explanation, if reflected upon by such expressions ; Mr. Speaker cannot, however, caU upon a Member to apologise for what he has said outside the House. Cf. Parliament— The Iriah Psity. Vol. 8, pp. 1587-90.— February 16, 1893. Members and the Press. In this case the attention of Mr. Speaker was called to a letter written to the editor of a daily paper, by the Sergeant-at-Arms, to the effect that an expression of which a Member complained was written by a member of the newspaper stafE having access to the House of Commons, and requesting the editor to warn the person that he had seriously abused the privilege granted to him, and that very serious notice would be taken of a repetition of such conduct, and Mr. Speaker is asked whether the Sergeant acted upon his own initiative or under the Speaker's direction. Mr. Speaker stated that he had seen the letter and approved. "It was never intended to be published. It was a private and friendly letter, and so marked. In this case the Hou8e had come to no resolution that a breach of Privilege had been committed, the Member being satisfied with the attitude of the House and the con- demnation expressed by the Prime Minister. In another case the House had come to- such a Kesolution, and therefore there was no reason for the Sergeant to write on that occasion. The cases were distinguishable." Cf. The Question of Privilege. Vol. 10, pp. 1607-9, March 30, 1893. Return containing Statement affecting a Member. In a Return to the House presented by the Board of Trade an hon. Member's name was given as owner of a certain ship, the hon. Member disclaiming ownership and partnership in the firm. Mr. Speaker is asked whether a statement of this kind, affecting the character of a Member, being made in a Return presented to Parliament by a Minister of the Crown, such Minister is not bound to withdraw the Return or make suit- able reparation. Mr. Speaker ruled that it would be out of order to allow the question to be debated. It was not at all clear that it was a question of Privilege. It appeared that what was stated by the right hon. gentleman (the President of the Board of Trade) was not stated in his capacity as a Member of the House ; thereupon Mr. Speaker could not interfere on the ground of Privilege. Cf. Board of Trade. Vol. 294, pp. 121-6.— November 21, 1884. Seat : Taking of. The Case of Mr,. Bradlaugh. Mr. Speaker, having communicated to the House a letter which he had received from Mr. Bradlaugh, the Member for the Borough of Northamp- ton, in which Mr. Bradlaugh withdrew former letters and intimated hi» PRIVILEGE. 107 intention to present himself at the Table for the purpose of taking his seat at some future date, solicited the direction of the House thereupon. Apppal being made to Mr. Gladstone to say what course he recommended the House to pursue, Mr. Gladstone pointed out that the letter referred to a contingency not realised, and that there was no action of Mr. Bradlaugh positively impending in relation to the interruption of the proceedings of the Hquse. Of. Parliamentary Elections (Mr. Bradlaugh). Vol. 298, pp. 1600-3.— June 19, 1886. On a subsequent occasion the Jlouse affirmed the two Resolutions of February 11, 1884, on Motion. On the Motion being made and Question proposed, and Mr. Bradlaugh retirina; below the Bsir in obedience to Mr. Speaker's direction to withdraw, objection taken that Mr. Bradlaugh had not left the House. Mr. Speaker ruled that there was no question of compelling the hon. gentleman to withdraw. The hon. Member had complied with the direction of the Chair in with- drawing from the Table. It was only in the case of a refusal to withdraw and a- disturbance aiising in the House that a Member was compelled to leave the House. The case was not the same as that when the question before the House is the suspension or alleged misconduct of certain Members. Of. Parliamentary Elections (Mr. Bradlaugh) Resolution. Vol. 298, pp. 1672-1702.— July 6, 1885. Amen':ment to a Question of. There is no rule requiring that a Question of Privilege should not be- met otherwise than by a direct negative. It is quite in order to move an Amendment thereto. Cf. Stockton Carrs Railway Bill. Upon the Motion " That the Bill be read a third time," &o., Mr. Speaker's attention was called to a circular addressed to Members by a Member, requesting them to atteni and support the Third Reading, and an Amendment was proposed for ihe discharge of the Third Reading. , Mr. Speaker considered the proper time for raising the Question of Order was when the Bill comes on for discussion. A Motion that the circular was a gross breach of Privilege must be made as a separate Motion, and could not be raised in the discussion of the Bill, but when the Question before the House was disposed of (viz., the Motion and Amendment) the Motion of Privilege couid be made. The Motion and Amendment being, by leave, withdrawn. Lord Randolph Churchill moved "That the issue of the circular concerning the Stockton Carrs Railway by the hon. Member for Stockton is a gross breach of th^ Privileges of this House," which, was debated and amended. Vol. 287, pp. 3-25.— AprU 8, 1884. Debate : Limitation of. If Motion is made that certain passages in a newspaper constitute a breach of Privilege, the discussion must be strictly confined to whether the words read at the Table do constitute a breach of Privilege. Cf. Privilege. Government of Ireland Bill. Vol. 13, p. 218.— June 5, 1893. 108 PRIVILEGE. Select Committees : Protection of Witnesses. Sir M. Hicks-Beach, as Chairman of the Select Committee on the Hours of Railways Servants, acquainted the House that it was his inten- tion to call the attention of the House to the Special Report of the Committee as a Question of Privilege, in respect of the treatment of certain witnesses on account of the evidence given before the Committee, and stated that the Committee were- engaged in consiHering other cases. Mr. Speaker is asked if it is not a rule that no reference should be made in the House to proceedings before Committee till reported. Mr. Speaker understood that the reference was to the Special Report, and that the •Committee was discussing another case, and that it might be for the convenience of the House to discuss them together. There must be no undue delay as to the question of Privilege. The Privilege will adhere to the Question when it comes before the House. Any Member can bring a Question of Privilegfi before the House, but it would be for the House to decide whether it should be dealt with. Cf. A Question of Privilege. Vol. 3, pp. 595-9.— April 4, 1892. On April 5 the Special Report was read, to the effect that a witness before the Committee had been dismissed, and censured, for the evidence he gave before the Committee, in a manner calculated to deter other servants from giving evidence. And thereupon Motion was made that the offending parties attend the House on a future day. And objection being taken that before summoning people to the Bar the House should affirm that a breach of Privilege has been committed. Mr. Speaker — " The House is asked to act, I imagine, on the Special Report of the •Committee, who have specially inquired inio the allegations which were made before them of intimidation of witnesses. These gentlemen are usked to appear at the Bar of this House in order to state anything they may have to say iu their defence, or iu mitigation or excuse. After healing these gentlemen the House will decide whether what they have said is any mitigation or excuse of the offences charged against them, and will decide what action they think it right to take, and will instruct me accordingly. And objection being further taken that the Committee have not come ixi any decision upon the point, but have left it to the House to affirm that a breach of Privilege has been committed, and that it is moved to summon to the Bar of the House persons of whom the House has not isaid yet that they have committed a breach of Privilege. Mr. Sppaker referred to the decision of the Committee that action bad been taken by certain gentlemen, calculated, in their opinion, to intimidate witnesses. It is upon that allegation that the House would like to hear the gentlemen who are referred to in the Report, in order to know whether they can say anything in excuse or mitigation of the allegation which is charged against them. I do not think any injustice can be done to any gentlemen by asking them to attend at the Bar of this House. Order made accordingly. Cf . Railway Servants (Hours of Labor) . Vol. 3 (Select Committee), pp. 698-701.— April 5, 1892. On April 7, the Order for Attendance being read, and the parties appearing at the Bar (one being a Member rising in his place). Mr. Speaker acquainted them of the Report of the Committee to the effect that the company, of which they were directors, had dismissed a servant mainly in oonse- .quenoe of charges arising out of the evidence given by him before the Committee ; PRIVILEGE. 109' and, upon a re-hearing asked for by the sei'vant, had censured him in a manner calcu- lated to deter other railway servants from giving evidence. " 1 believe it is the wish of the House to hear anything that any of you may now say in answer to these findings of the Committee." And, an apology being made — Motion made, and Question proposed, that the parties had committed a breach of Privilege, "and that they be called in and admonished " by Mr. Speaker for the breach of Privilege they have " committed." And a Debate arising, and reference being made to the Report of the Committee on matters outside the Question of Privilege, and objection being taken to anticipating such matter — Mr. Speaker ruled that it was in order, so far as it bore on the case, to call attention to anything that was placed before the Committee, though it would not be in oi'der tO' anticipate the ultimate decision of the Committee. And, subsequently, that the latitude of the debate was a matter for the discretion of the House ; but it was not for Mr. Speaker to indicate the direction to which the discretion of any Member may be limited in discussing the Special Report and the evidence contained in it. And the question being finally carried as originally proposed, and the parties being called in, Mr. Speaker acquainted them of the decision of the House and admonished them accordingly. The admonition of Mr. Speaker being ordered to be entered upon the Journals of the House. Of. Breach of Privilege. Vol. 3, pp. 883-5, 890, 893, 904, 961-4.— April 7, 1892. Lords' Amendments : Special entry in Journals of House. The Lords having made an Amendment consequent upon an Amend- ment of the Commons in the Dublin Corporation Bill, a Question of Privilege arose as follows on the Question : — " That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment." Mr. Courtney — "I ought to mention to the House that a question of veiy great gravity has arisen upon this Amendment. It is the fact that the collection of the rates- in Dublin was fixed by a Public Act in 1849, and it is a question whether the Lords can interfere in any way with a Public Act. We have in a, Private Bill abandoned the collection of rates under the Public Act, and it becomes a question of considerable difficulty whether the Lords' Amendment is an infringement of the limitation laid down by a Public Act, and is an action on the part of the Lords which we ought to disallow. The matter is one of considerable doubt, and I have not had very much time to give it consideration ; but those who advise me entertain the very strongest doubt whether it is not an infraction of our Privileges. At the same time, there can be no doubt about the propriety of the Amendment. On further consideration, it appears to me that what the Lords have done has been to call attention to certain things omitted hy this House, and which are necessary and consequent upon the action taken by this House. Under these circumstances we must allow the Amendment to be accepted as a necessary consequence of our own acts, not as something which originated in the Lords. I think it would be well that a note should be entered in the Minutes to show that we did not admit any infraction of the Privileges of the House." Mr. Speaker — "Of any infraction of the Privileges of this House I should be the first to take notice. I have considered the subject, and 1 have given directions that if this Amendment is accepted a special entry shall be made in the Journals of this House- to the effect that this House, ^chile disapproving of any infraction of its privileges ot rights by the other House, in this case waives its claim to insist upon its Privileges, no QUESTIONS. Under tbese circumstances I hope the House will admit that no harm has heen done to the Privileges of this House, and that this Amendment is a consequential Amendment on the Amendment of the Commons, and only carries out the full intentions of this House. I hope on these terms, and with that full explanation, that the House will allow the Amendment of the Lords to pass with this note entered in the Journals." Cf. Dubhn Corporation Bill. Vol. 348, pp. 964-5. -August 14, 1890. Press : Articles in Breach of Privilege. If a Member complains of an article in the Press, and moves that it is a breach of the Privileges of the House, the passages complained of are read by the Clerk at the Table, and Motion is then made and Question proposed. Only the passages read are before the House, and statements in another paper are not the Question. The House decides on the para- graphs read, and they only can be dealt with; but, on request, additional passages may be read by the Clerk. Cf. Breach of Privilege (The Irish Party). Vol. 8, pp. 1587-1608.— February 16, 1893. QUESTIONS. Notice of. Questions are given by Members in vcriting to the Clerk at the Table, without reading them vivd voce in the House. Cf. Notice of Question. Vol. 308, p. 264, August 23, and p. 556, August 26, 1886. Supplementary Questions, purely seeking for the elucidation of former answers, are in order, but Questions which a Minister cannot answer at the moment come within the Resolution of March 12, 1886, which requires notice in writing to be given to the Clerk at the Table. Cf . Eules and Orders of the House. Procedure at Question Time. Vol. 303, pp. 1503-4.— March 22, 1886. If a Question does not arise out of an answer given, notice must be given in the usual way. Cf. The Police and the Dock Strike. Vol. 341, p. 185.— February 13, 1890, Cf. Prosecution of a Surgeon at "Warwick, p. 755.— February 20, 1890. Cf. The Licensing Bill. (Deputy Speaker.) Vol. 343, p. 1083.— April 22, 1890. Complicated and somewhat argumentative Questions require notice. Cf. Ireland : Evictions on Great Blasket Island. Vol. 357, p. 1392.— July 31, 1890. Cf. Haulbowline Docks, p. 1744.— August 4, 1890. QUESTIONS. Ill A Question of importance should not be asked without notice given. Cf. Indian Currency. Vol. 13, p. 906. — June 13, 1893. If a Minister has not received notice of a Question, which it is stated has been left for him, the Question should be put on the Paper. In such a. case it is not customary to read the Notice. Cf. Cholera and the Ports. Vol. 14, p. 1287.— July 11, 1893. Unless a Member has given a Minister notice of a Question it should be put on the Paper in the usual way. Cf. Outrage on a Wife. Vol. IS, p. 1285.— November 20, 1893. Cf . also. Imprisonment of an Armenian Bishop. Vol. 19, p. 362.— December 4, 1893. And Ibid., p. 818. Cf . also Scotch Officials. The Gaelic Language. Vol. 21, p. 1138.— March 1, 1894. When a Question has been put and replied to, it is not in order to put an entirely separate Question. In such cases notice must be given. Cf. The Tipton Eifle Range Fatality. Vol. 25, p. 1344.— June 18, 1894. Without Notice : Mules to be observed. The rules to be observed in putting a Question which is on the Paper must be observed when putting a Question which is not on the Paper. Cf. The case of Mrs. Montagu. Vol. 3.— April 7, 1892. A Question having been put and replied to, and a Member following with a further Question containing inquiry as to numerous incidents, and objection being taken to such a Question without notice — Mr. Speaker ruled that, so long as nothing was said by way of assumption that the facts were so, a Member was entitled to ask for an inquiry into the points mentioned. Cf. Attack on a Catholic Priest at Lurgan. Vol. 25, p. 1228.— June 15, 1894. Absence of Member who has given Notice. If a Question is a personal one, affecting an hon. Member, it can be put as an act of courtesy with a view to a reply in the absence of the Member in whose name it stands. Cf. Landlord and Tenant (Ireland). Vol. 298, p. 491.— May 14, 1885. It is competent for a Member to put a Question on behalf of the Mem- ber in whose name it stands on the Paper. Cf. The Eecent Crime in County Cork. Vol. 24, p. 812.— May 10, 1894. 112 QUESTIONS. Member Declining to Put. If a Member intimates to Mr. Speaker that lie does not intend to put a Question standing in his name, Mr. Speaker does not call upon the hon. Member, but calls on the next Member whose name is on the Paper. But if an hon. Member objects that the Question so omitted contains a reflection upon the character of anybody it is competent for such other hon. Member to ask any Question which he thinks will place the matter in a proper light before the House. And Mr. Speaker will not object to the omitted Question being put by the Member complaining of the same. Cf. Poor Law (Ireland) Election of Guardians. Vol. 304, pp. 437-9.— April 1, 1886. Delay in Asking. Questions reflecting upon any individual, or set of individuals, should not remain long on the Notice Paper without being asked. Cf. The Eeeent Crime in County Cork. Vol. 24, p. 812.— May 10, 1894. Alteration or Removal of. If a Question contains irregular matter Mr. Speaker wUl cause such part of the Question to be expunged. If any such has escaped notice, and by inadvertence appears on the Paper, Mr. Speaker will not allow that part to be put. Cf. also. Crime and Outrage. Vol. 293, p. 160.— October 24, 1884. Cf. also. Army. Quartermasters. pp. 788-9. — November 3, 1884. Cf. also. Post Office. p. 266. — October 27, 1884. A Question which applies the terms " outrageous and cowardly" to Members of the House will be revised and put into proper shape before appearing on the Notice Paper. Cf. Parliament. Questions. Order. Vol. 295, pp. 1679-80.— March 19, 1886. A Question which contains a newspaper comment couched in strong language, and not a mere statement of fact, will be corrected by omit- ting that part. Cf. Egypt (Finance). Vol. 296, p. 882.— March 12, 1886. Mr. Speaker reserves to himself the right to expunge from Questions anything reflecting on individuals, and assuming facts which are not admitted. Cf. Mr. John Daly. Vol. 342, p. 856-6.- March 14, 1890. If, in the opinion of Mr. Speaker, a question is too trivial to submit to the attention of the House, Mr. Speaker strikes it off the Paper. Cf. Queen's College, Belfast. Vol. 3, p. 869.— April 7, 1892. QUESTIONS. lis Notice of Alteration : Whenever possible immediate notice is given to a Member if his Question is irregular. Of. The Alteration of Questions. Vol. 31, p. 165. — March 1, 1896. Attempt to Renew Corrected. A Question which Has been altered at the Table as out of order cannot be renewed in its original form. Cf. Poor Law (Ireland). Vol. 302, pp. 1S42-3. - March 1, 1886. It is not in order for an hon. Member to put that portion of a Question which has been expunged from the Question on the Paper. Cf. Army. Go-operative Stores. Vol. 305, p. 756.— May 11, 1886. Cf . also. Parliament. Business of the House. Vol. 296, p. 848.— March 27, 1885. Cf. also. Visit of H.R.H. the Prince and Princess of Wales to Ireland. Ibid., p. 1637.— AprE 14, 1885. Cf.. also. Central Asia. Ihid., p. 1862.— April 16, 1885. Cf. also. Egypt (The Soudan). Vol. 297, p. 1865.— May 7, 1885. Cf. Public Business. The Civil Service Estimates. Devolution. Vol. 298, pp. 145-6.— May 11, 1885. Cf. also. Egypt ("War in the Soudan). Ibid., p. 165. It is quite irregular and unparliamentary for a Memb er to read words which Mr. Speaker has had struck out of a Question. Cf. Eoads in Eoss-shire. Vol. 11, p. 428.— April 17, 1893. Arising from Questions. It is not in order to put a new Question which does not arise in any way out of the Question on the Paper. Cf. Law and Justice. Vol. 293, pp. 1366-6.— November 10, 1884. A Question must fairly arise out of a Question to entitle such Question to be put. Cf. Evictions. Ireland. Vol. 305, p. 900.— May 13, 1886. Cf. also. The Irish Policy of the Government. Ibid., p. 1043.— May 14, 18Pfi A Question arising out of a Question must be relevant. Cf. Civil Service (Parliamentary Candidature). Vol. 297, pp. 966-6.— April 28, 1885. Cf. also. The Pall Mall Oaeette, Vol. 298, p. 1827.— July 7, 1885. H 114 QtrfiSTIONS. Questions arising out of Answers. Questions arising out of answers cannot be put if they include matters of argument. Cf . Central Asia. The Rusao-Afghan Frontier. Vol. 298, p. 1035.— May 21, 1885. Cf. also. Eegistration (Occupation Voters) BiU. (Wliere a question was put to a Minister as to the construction of an answer given by another Minister.) Vol. 298, pn 1409.— June 8, 1885. Cf. also. Crofters Holdings BiU. Vol. 298, pp. 1416-7.— June 8, 1886. Anticipating Discussion on Bills. Mr. Speaker will not allow Questions to be put on the Paper which refer to the details of a coming Bill. Cf. The Home Rule BiU. Vol. 9, pp. 571-2.— February 28, 1893. Future Procedure on Bills. In this case a Member asked whether it was the intention of the Oovernment to apply to the remaining pages of a Bill the same automatic principle as was adopted in Committee. Mr. Speaker did not think this a fair Question to put. When a Minister makes a Motion he judges of the circumstances of the time, and it is impossible that he can say beforehand what he wiU do when a certain date arrives. It is not in accordance with the dignity of the House that Questions like that should he asked or answered. Cf. The Debate on the Home Rule Bill. Vol. 15, pp. 1781-2.— August 10, 1893. Argumentative. A Question which involves a matter of argument and statements of opinion is irregular. If a Question contains what purports to be a statement of fact, and it subsequently appears that the statement is not founded upon fact, that part of the Question must be withdrawn. Cf . Local Govemment Board (Scotland) BiU. Vol. 286, pp. 466-67.- March 21, 1884. A Question must not contain matter of inference. Cf. Egypt. Vol. 290, pp. 830-1.— July 11, 1884. A Question must not contain a statement of fact which is disputed, nor a matter of opinion. Cf. State of Ireland. Vol. 294, p. 611.— December 4, 1884. Cf. also. Prevention of Crimes Act. p. 1048.— February 23, 1885. Cf. also. The Irish Land Commission. (For improper language in a Question, •viz., "the grossly improper conduct of the Land Commission in Ireland.") Vol. 294, pp. 439-41.— December 2, 1884. QUESTIONS. 115 It is improper, under cover of giving notice of a Question, to argue a matter. Cf. Post Office (Ireland). Vol. 295, p. 1082.— March 13, 1885. An hon. Member stating in a Question that a course adopted was *' apparently in opposition to the wishes of," &c., and objection taken "that an opinion was thereby expressed — Mr. Speaker — " The word ' apparently ' occurs before the ■H^ords 'in opposition to,' and the Question is in order.' ' Cf . Bulgaria. Abdication of Prince Alexander. Vol. 309, p. 341.— September 14, 1886. Questions argumentative, having reference to a Bill actually in progress in Committee, are out of order. Cf. Rent-Charge of Small Holdings. Vol. 4, pp. 825-6.— May 13, 1892. It is not in order in asking Questions to make a Speech, nor to put supplementary Questions containing arguments. Cf. PleuTO-Pneiimonia in Dublin. Vol. 5, pp. 548-551.^June 3, 1892. A Member who puts an argument in the form of a Question is out of order. He may ask a Question on a matter of fact. Cf. Civil Servants and Elections. Vol. 7, p. 190.— August 9, 1892. Expressions of opinion cannot take the form of Questions. Cf. Seizures by Night in Ireland. Vol. 8, p. 670.— February 7, 1893. An argumentative Question not referring to anything arising out of Debate in the House, or with the intention to draw an argument from a comparison of two statements, is out of order. Cf . The Manchester Murder and the Clerkenwell Outrage. Vol. 11, p, 909.— Apra 21, 1893. Questions presuming facts, and characterising such facts, should omit the presumption that such have occurred. Cf. Armenia. Vol. 31, p. 1562.— March 21, 1895. N.B. — In the Question, reference was to "barbarous" outrages perpetrated by the agents of the Porte. Cf . also. Illiterate Voters in Ireland. Vol. 9, p. I860.— March 13, 1893. The Sunday Opening of Museums. Vol. 14, p. 51. — June 26, 1893. Firing at Sheriff's Bailiffs at Clare. Ibid., p. 681.— July 3, 1893. Addresses to the Irish liOrd-Lieutenant. Ibid., p. 1280. — July 11,1893. Anarchist Meetings in Trafalgar Square. Vol. 18, p. 1910.— Nov. 28, 1893 The Progress of Public Business. Vol. 19, p. 270.— Dec. 1, 1893. 116 aUESTIONS. Business : Question relating to the arrangement of. An ton. Member seeking information by Question relating to the Business of the House (a morning sitting) can ask a Question with refer- ence to the morning sitting, but cannot raise a Question of Debate. Cf. Parliament. Business of the House. Vol. 287, p. 480.— April 24, 1884. An hon. Member is perfectly in order in putting a Question in refer- ence to the Business of the House. Notice is not necessary. Cf. Business of the House. Crofters Bill. Vol. 303, pp. 1642-3.— March 23, 1886. Explanations. Explanations should not be given by the Member asking ; but he is> entitled to ask if there is any truth in a rumor. Cf. Mr. Oliver Davis. Vol. 19, p. 265.— Deoemher 1, 1893. Cf. also. Loch Fyne Herrings. Ibid., p. 473.— December 5, 1893. Hypothetical. Hypothetical questions should not be put. Cf. Esquimalt Dockyard. Vol. 2, p. 626.— March 10, 1892. Cf also. The Protection of British Subjects in Mashonaland. Vol. 16, p. 1732.— September 1, 1893. Ruled Irregular hy Mr. Speaker. The Speaker can always direct a Question to be ruled out of order i£ he thinks it to be so. Cf. Street Processions. Vol. 346, p. 680.— July 3, 1890. Any allegation of a fact which is disputed ought not to appear in a Question. The same Rule applies to expressions of opinion. Cf. Street Processions. Vol. 346, p. 680.— July 3, 1890. An hon. Member, referring to a speech made on the previous night,, asked the First Lord of the Treasury " Whether there is any foundation whatever for the intimation that the late mission of Sir Lintorn Simmons- was the consequence of the action of the Pope in publishing a rescript condemning the un-Christian practices of boycotting, intimidation, and the Plan of Campaign ? " Mr. Speaker — "Order, order! The hon. gentleman must be aware that this is a Question which a Minister cannot be expected to einswer in that form." Vol. 347, p. 1386.— July 31, 1890. QUESTIONS. 117 Cases " suh judice.^' A Question should not be put in respect of a case whicli must be the subject of a Court of Inquiry. It might be prejudiced thereby. Cf. The Glenrara Murder. Vol. 24, p. 208.— May 3, 1894. Debate : Reference to past. It is not in order, in putting a Question, to quote a verbatim report of a speech delivered in Debate. Cf. The PuhUo Prosecutor Act, 1879. Vol. 286, p. 745.— March 26, 1884. Debatable. Questions which partake of the nature of Debate cannot be put. Cf. India. Export of "Wheat. Vol. 286, p. 890.— March 27, 1884. The preamble of a Question must not contain debatable matter. Cf. Bishopric of Bristol Bill. Vol. 292, p. 109.— August 7, 1884. Imputations. Questions containing insinuations reflecting on the character of individuals, and language which would be disallowed by the Clerk at the Table in a written Notice, should not be put. Cf. Poor Law (Ireland;. Vol. 287, pp. 732-3.— April 28, 1884. A Question imputing that an answer given was calculated and intended to shirk the point raised is out of order. Cf. The Queen's Colleges (Ireland). Vol. 287, p. 1841.— May 9, 1884. A Question must not recite statements which involve reflection or imputation. Cf. Contagious Diseases Act. Vol. 291, p. 866.— July 29, 1984. It is not in order, under cover of a Question, to make discreditable insinuations against Members of the House. Cf. Visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Ireland. Vol. 296, p. I860.— AprU 16, 1886. Cf. also. The New War Office and Admiralty. p. 1106.— March 31, 1886. Cf. also. Eegistration of Voters (Ireland) Bill. p. 1091.— March 31, 1885. Cf. also. Sparklebrook Factory. Vol. 16, p. 1104.— August 25, 1893. 118 QUESTIONS. Conveying Reflections on a Public Official. It is a matter requiring grave consideration whether Questions which seem to reflect on a Public Official do not require revision so as to appear in an altered form. Cf. The newly appointed Irish Land Commissioner. Vol. 21, pp. 837-8.- February 20, 1894. Information : Conveying under cover of Question. The purpose of a Question is to ask for information, not to supply it to the House. In this case a Member had sought to place on the Paper a Question which specified the old rates which railway companies charged, sind the new rates the companies are now charging. Mr. Speaker ruled that this would be a dangerous precedent to set, and explained the object of a Question, ut supra. Cf. Railway Rates. Vol. 9, p. 1620.— March 10, 1893. Cf. also. Casts from the Antique at South Kensington. Vol. 24, p. 227.— May 3, 1894. 2'he Judge : Impugning and Refecting on. A Question that impugns the conduct of a Judge cannot be received, that being not the proper form to impugn the conduct of such an official. Cf. Law and Justice (Scotland). Vol. 249, pp. 1749-50.— March 2, 1886. It is not in order to characterise the sentence of a Judge as of " extra- ordinary severity," nor to speak of it as " very hard." Cf. The Case of Mrs. Montagu. Vol. 3, p. 863.— April 7, 1892. Language : Irregular. An hon. Member must couch his Question in proper terms. Cf. Law and Justice. Vol. 287, p. 465.— April 24, 1884. (N.B. — The term " hugger-mugger inquiries" was applied to Ministerial inquiries. An hon. Member having used the expression " unprovoked aggression " in a Question, and objection being taken, Mr. Speaker understood that the Question alluded to an expression previously used, and that the words were referred to as a quotation. Cf. Central Asia. Russia and Afghanistan. Vol. 287, p. 1857. — May 7, 1886. Cf. also. Egypt. Suppression of the Bosphore Egyptien. Where Mr. Speaker ruled that a Question whether the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs would lay upon the Table certain expressions of regret and print certain apologies made by Ministers was outside the ordinary limits of Questions. Vol. 297, p. 1653.— May 6, 1886. QUESTIONS. 119 A Question should not contain such an expression as " the well-known brutal character " in reference to a person about whom a Question is asked. Cf. . Siraji Rao. Vol. 344, p. 937.— May 15, 1890. Cf. also. Atfairs in Tipperary, pp. 964-6. It is not in order for a Question to contain such words as " scandalous and blackguardly." Cf. Police " Shadowing." Vol. 345, p. 1640.— June 23, 1890. Such an expression as "atrocious swindle contemplated by Her Majesty's Government " is unparliamentary, and a Question in which such occurs is not to be answered. Cf. The Persian Tobacco Concession. Vol. 4, pp. 1521-2.— May 23, 1892. A Member in a Question introducing the words " notoriousl}' unjust " in reference to a claim, Mr. Speaker ruled they were out of order. Cf. Eent Collection in the Highlands. Vol. 18, p. 227.— November 6, 1893. Such an expression as " Official delegate of the Government Whips " ought not to appear on the Paper. Cf. The Attercliffe Vacancy. Vol. 26, p. 568.— June 29, 1894. Members — Questions to. It is not in order to put a Question to an hon. Member who is not in an official position on a matter not before the House. Cf . Church of England. Coxwold Eeotory and Trinity College. Vol. 302, pp. 1212-3.— February 25, 1886. A Question other than one referring to some Bill or Motion before the House can be put to a Member who holds an official position. In this case an hon. Member asked another if the report of a speech delivered by him at a meeting was correct. Cf. Sir W. Marriott and Mr. Pamell. Vol. 343, p. 181.— March 28, 1890. Ministerial Objections to. It is competent for a Minister to object to a particular question as in- opportime. Cf. The French Fleet in the Mediterranean. Vol. 18, p. 866.— November 14, 1893. Opinion : Asking. It is not in order to ask a Minister for his opinion. Cf. Army. Vol. 288, p. 660.— May 19, 1884. 120 QUESTIONS. In this case an Hon. Member asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he approved of the action and statement of the Chief Commissioner of Police. Mr. Speaker ruled that this was an i rregularity. Cf. The PoUce and the Dock Strike. Vol. 341, p. 183.— Fehruary 13, 1890. Cf. The Land Commission. Vol. 344, pp. 1581-2.— May 22, 1890. Cf. Street Processions. Vol. 346, p. 680.— July 3, 1890. Quotations in putting Questions. An hon. Member asking whether the attention of a right hon. gentle- man had been drawn to a paragraph in a newspaper, which he read at ength, and objection taken — Mr. Speaker said it was not out of order if the hon. Member was laying a foundation for an answer. Cf. Evictions (Scotland). Vol. 309, p. 1355.— September 25, 1886. Reading Letters. A Member of the Government making a statement in reply to a Ques- tion, and the Member putting the Question, following the reply and producing a letter, and objection being taken — Mr. Speaker ruled that, under the circumstances, some latitude should be allowed as the Member was seeking to rebut the statement in the nature of a personal expla- nation. Cf. Alleged Intimidation in Wexford. Vol. 25, p. 796.— June 11, 1894. Renewal and Repetition. If a Minister declines to reply to a Question, and a Member thereupon seeks to place such Question on the Paper, and hands the same to the Clerk at the Table, such Question becomes the property of the House, and is entitled to be seen by any Member of the House; and if such Question, being identically the same, does not appear on the Paper, Mr. Speaker is not prepared to say it can be repeated. . ' Cf . Parliament. Order. Rules and Orders of the House. Questions. Vol. 286, pp. 87.5-7.— March 7, 1884. A Question in identical terms with one which has already been put on the Paper, and been answered, cannot be put again. Cf. Civil Service. Vol. 293, p. 904.— November 4, 1884. It is not in order to ask a Question again to which a reply has been already given. Cf. Egypt. Vol. 296, p. 292-3.— March 24, 1885. If a Member asks a Question substantially the same as one already asked and replied to on a former occasion, it is for the Minister who is to QUESTIONS. 121 answer the Question to say whether the Question has already been answered or not. Cf. Law and Justice (Ireland). Mr. O'Brien, M.P. Vol. 299, p. 1401.— July 21, 1886. In the case of a Question put by an hon. Member, it is not in order ior another hon. Member to make, in the form of a Question, a counter- statement of considerable length, with a view to a reply from a Minister. Cf. Law and Justice (Ireland). Vol. 305, p. 1035.— May 14, 1886. When a Question has been asked it is irregular to attempt to debate it by a series of Questions. Cf. Law and Justice. Vol. 290, p. 686.— July 10, 1884. When a statement has been denied on the authority of a Minister, the matter should rest. Cf. Judge Kelly and the State of Clare. Vol. 13, p. 1656.— June 22, 1893. When the truth of a rumor referred to is denied, a Member is hardly justified in putting further Questions. The statement of denial should be sufficient. Cf. The Extradition of Jabez Balfour. Vol. 31, p. 672.— March 7, 1896. Remarks interposed hy Member. If an hon. Member asks a Question it is not in order for another hon. Member to interpose with remarks. In this case a Question being asked, another hon. Member proposed to communicate & telegram received by him upon the subject. Cf. The Newfoundland Fisheries. Vol. 343, p. 397.— April 1, 1890. Replies : Discretion as to. It is in the discretion of a Minister whether he can answer, and in what ■way, a Question put. Cf. Egypt. Vol. 287, pp. 1163-5.— May 2, 1884. Cf. The Queen's Colleges. Vol. 287, pp. 1840-1. -May 9, 1884. The Prime Minister, being asked if he adheres to a statement made by the Secretary of State for India, declines to answer such a Question, which he thinks ought not to be put, and Mr. Speaker being appealed to by the hon. Member who put the Question — Mr. Speaker — It is entirely within the discretion of the First Lord of the Treasury to decide what answer he shall give. Cf. Central Asia. Vol. 295, p. 1073.— March 19, 1885. 122 QUESTIONS. It is entirely within the discretion of a Minister of the Crown to give to a Question any answer which he thinks right. It is for him to judge what answer should he given. No Question of Order can arise on this point. Cf. Law and Justice (Ireland). Vol. 300, p. 823.— August 3, 1885. It is perfectly competent for a Minister to decline to answer a Question. Cf. Alleged Insubordination in the Grenadier Guards. Vol. 346, p. 939.— July 7, 1890. Cf. also. The Crofters Act. Vol. 31, p. 772.— March 11, 1895. Replying to several simultaneously. It is competent for a Minister to answer at the same time several Questions, which are on the same subject and nearly identical. Cf. The Irish and American Mail Service. Vol. 3, p. 852.— April 7, 1892. Reply : Question as to. It does not come within the limits of a proper Question to a Minister of the Crown to ask what answer is intended to be given by a public ofi&cer. * Cf. Poor Law (Ireland). Vol. 295, pp. 1239-40.— March 16, 1885. Latitude of. A Minister of the Crown, in replying to a Question, is entitled to state facts in answer to the Question. Cf. Supreme Court of Judicature Act Amendment Bill. Vol. 295, pp. 102-3.— March 5, 1885. Limitation of. In answering a Question relative to the course proposed to be taken in reference to a Bill, an hon. Member must leave out controversial matter. Cf. Railway Bates and Charges Bill. Vol. 297, p. 653.— April 24, 1885. Irregular attempt at further Reply. An hon. Member is not entitled to reply to a Question which has already been answered by a Member of the Government. But an hon. Member can be heard in personal explanation if he thinks he is reflected upon by the Question. Cf. Land Law Act, 1881. VoL 291, p. 1555.— August 4, 1884. Reply by Member himself who asks. An hon. Member asking a Question, and seeking to be permitted to reply to it himself by reading one which has been furnished to him — Mr. Speaker, interrupting, pointed out that this course was contrary to the practice of the House. Cf. India. The Excise Laws. Vol. 300, p. 13— August 13, 1885. QUESTIONS. 12» Attempt to argue answer- It is not in order for an hon. Member to enter upon an argumentative statement in reference to the answer given to another hon. Member. Cf. The House of Commons : Telephone. Vol. 343, p. 401.— April 1, 1890. Statements in Questions. Responsibility of Members. It is irregular to preface a Question with such words as " Whether it was true, as stated." The responsibility attaches to a Member when he puts a Question that he should not simply take up a rumor, but should assume the responsibility and ask whether or not a certain fact is true. Cf. The Lahor Commission. Vol. 3-52, p. 924.— AprU 20, 1891. Mr. Speaker discovirages the practice of asking questions based on statements in the public press. It is desirable that Members should undertake the responsibility of the questions thus put. Cf . Official Chemists at Somerset House. Vol. 10, p. 674.— March 27, 1893. Members should not put Questions merely upon newspaper authority,, but before putting them down should institute some inquiry, and make themselves responsible for the statements they contain. Cf. Questions as to Crime. Vol. 13, p. 53.— June 2, 1893. A statement having been made in a newspaper, it is competent to put a Question with reference to it. But it is quite irregular to re-open a. Question which has practically been settled. Cf. The East Nottingham Election. Vol. 13, p. 330.— June 6, 1893. Cf . also. Electioneering Parties in West Belfast. Vol. 13, p. 652.— June 9, 1893. A Member who puts a Question is responsible for the facts alleged therein. Cf. Mrs. Elizabeth Gladstone and Her Irish Estates. Vol. 14, p. 1166.— July 10, 1893. A Member is responsible for the statements made in a Question. Cf. Publicans and Military Pensioners. Vol. 22, p. 1452.— April 5, 1894. If a Question contains a statement the Member who makes it should vouch for its being a fact. Cf. An Irish J.P. Warned. Vol. 30, p. 299.— February 8, 1895. Cf. also. Alleged Poisoning of Cattle. Ibid., p. 766.— February 14, 1895. 124 QTJESTIONS. REPORTERS' GALLERY. Statements in : Members impugned hy. Statements of fact, made upon oath, cannot be excluded from a Ques- tion ; but if a Member deems his character is impugned by such statement, Mr. Speaker considers him entitled to make any personal explanation. Cf. The Case of Mr. James Sadleir. VoL 16, pp. 1082-4.— August 25, 1893. Supplementary Questions. If a succession of supplementary Questions is desired to be put notice should be given. Cf. Crown and Sessional Crown Solicitors in Ireland. Vol. 8, pp. 521-3.— February 6, 1893. It is perfectly in order to put supplementary Questions arising in any way out of the original Question, of which notice has been given, and it is not necessary to wait until the end of Question time. Cf. The Belfast Disturbances. Vol. 11, p. 1488.— April 28, 1893. In putting a Question a Member must not supplement it with another which has no connection with that on the Paper. Cf. Dumphail Railway Accident. Vol. 24, p. 40.— May 1, 1894. Trivial Questions. It would be a good reform if Questions of small import to the general public should be addressed to the different Departments and not to Ministers in the House. Cf. Trivial Questions. Vol. 10, p. 375.— March 17, 1893. It is a matter for the House to judge whether Questions founded on newspaper reports are a waste of the time of the House. Cf. Resisting Sheriff's Officers in Kildare. Vol. 11, p. 14.— April 11, 1893. REPORTEKS' GALLERY. Admission of Lady Reporters. There is no Order of the House against a lady being admitted as a reporter to the Reporters' Gallery. But, as it would be a departure from the existing practice, the Speaker would not intervene to sanction it unless with the direct and express sanction of the House. Cf. Lady Reporters. Vol. 342, p. 1147.- March 18, 1890. RESOLUTIONS OF THE HOUSE. 125- RESOLUTIONS OF THE HOUSE. Infraction of. It is difficult to lay down the exact bearing of a Resolution of the' House. There are no penalties attaching to the infraction thereof. It is a question for the House to decide. In this case Mr. Speaker was asked if the Eesolution of the House of JFebruary 13, 1891, as to fair wages and contracts, was binding on this Farliameat. Cf. The Fair Wages Resolution. Yol. 10, p. 679.— March 21, 1893. RETURNS: UNOPPOSED. Motion for. If objection is taken to an unopposed Return that it is incomplete, it is competent to amend the Return on a subsequent day, and it can then be taken as unopposed. Cf. National GaHery. Vol. 28, p. 31.— August 3, 1894. SAME QUESTION. If an hon. Member has a Bill before the House it is quite competent to give notice of a Resolution in pari materia identical in substance with the Bill, it being his intention to withdraw the Bill. It is action, and not notice, which is the material point, and the Motion of which notice has been given could not come on for discussion so long as the BiU remained on the Orders. Cf. Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister Bill. Vol. 286, p. 842.— March 26, 1884. SELECT COMMITTEES. Motion for Motions to nominate Select Committees are set down at the commence- ment of Public Business, and, if opposed, must stand over. Cf. London Improvement Bill. Vol. 12, p. 546.— May 10, 1893. The Motion for the appointment of a Select Committee should not be preceded by a preface, which is in the nature of a separate Resolution, 126 SELECT COMMITTEES. and does not come within the Order of Reference. The proper course is to move for the appointment of the Committee. It will be for the House to judo;e what the terms of Reference should be. Cf. Railway Servants (Hours of Labor). Sir M. Hicks Beach having a notice in his name—" That having regard to the fact that the employment of railway servants for excessive hours is a source of danger, both to the men themselves and to the travelling public, a Select Committee be appointed to inquire whether, and if so, in what way, the hours worked by railway servants should be restricted by legislation. ' ' Mr. Speaker ruled ut supra, and the motion was made, omitting the preface. Vol. 349, pp. 1715-6.— February 3, 1891. If a Member desires the appointment of a Select Commitee he should read the reference to the C^ommittee which he wishes the House to appoint. In this case a Member entered into a long preliminary statement, when Mr. Speaker called his attention, ut supra, to the proper course. Cf. Privilege. Vol. 23, pp. 638-43.— April 17, 1894. Irregular terms : Correction of Motion. An hon. Member having given a Notice of Motion " That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the alleged prevalence of felonious practices among certain officials in Dublin, and the conduct of Her Majesty's Advisers in Ireland in reference thereto," the Motion was objected to by the Clerk at the Table as of too vague and sweeping a character, and the hon. Member was requested to put the charge in a specific form. The hon. Member having given in, on a subsequent day, an amended Notice " To call attention to the felonious practices alleged to prevail among certain public oificials in Ireland," objection was again made that it was too sweeping and vague, and Mr. Speaker decided that the Motion could not appear on the Paper. On private appeal to Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker was of opinion that names should be specified. The Motion subsequently appeared on the Paper, but the priority which the hon. Member had originally secured by the ballot was lost. Mr. Speaker appealed to the House whether the Notice was one which should be allowed to remain on the Order Book of the House ; and with regard to the complaint of the lost priority Mr. Speaker explained that, the Motion being out of order, if the Amended Notice had been given the same day it would have been in order, and the order of precedence would not have been taken ; but it was not given in till five o'clock on the following day, at which time two succeeding Motions had been handed in, and had thus obtained priority. The priority was lost by the hon. Member's informality and want of observing the Rules of the House. Cf . Parliament. Rules and Orders of the House. Vol. 288, pp. 676-84.— May 19, 1884. Nomination of: Amendment to. On the Question that a Bill be committed to a Select Committee, an Amendment was proposed ti) add to the Question " Consisting of all Members representing Scottish constituencies," on the Motion for the SELECT COMMITTEES. 127 nomination of the Committee, and Mr. Speaker is asked if the hon. Member will be in order then, or whether he would not have to move alternative names. Mr. Speaker — ' ' If the nomination of the Committee is set down for the commence- ment of Business, the hon. Member will have considerahle difficulty in moving an Amendment of that character." Cf. Police (Scotland) Bill. Vol. 346, pp. 647-8.— July 1, 1890. Names of. When a Motion for the appointment of a Select Committee has been agreed to, it is competent to move the names of which the Committee shall consist. Cf. Agricultural Laborers. Motion for a Select Committee. Vol. 293, p. 1344.— November 7, 1884. Addition of a Member. Notice. One day's notice is all that is required to be given for the addition of a Member to a Select Committee. If a division is taken on the name proposed, it is competent for an hon. Member to vote on the Question of his own exclusion. Cf. Yorkshire Land Eegietries and Yorkshire Eegistries Bill. Vol. 288, pp. 795-6.— May 20, 1884. Debate. On the Question of the addition of a Member to a Select Committee the Debate must be confined thereto. Cf. Land Acts (Ireland). Vol. 24, p. 1131.— May 23, 1894. Substitution of another Member for a Name Proposed. If a Motion be made that an hon. Member be of a Committee, and an hon. Member desires to substitute another Member, that is not a sub- stantive Motion, but an Amendment to the Original Question, to be taken when that Question is proposed. Cf. London Streets (Strand Improvement) BiU : Select Committee. Vol. 343, p. 1508.— April 28, 1890. It is not competent to move without notice the insertion of a name in substitution of another proposed, but any particular name may be moved to be omitted. Cf. Police (Scotland) Bill. Vol. 346, p. 1617.— July 14, 1890. 128 SELECT COMMITTEES. Discharge of Member and substitution of another. Notice being given to discharge a Member from serving on a Committee and nominating another in his stead — Mr. Speaker — " I look with extreme jealousy on the House interfering with the Committee of Selection by discharging a Member who has been appointed by that Committee ; that Committee is specially deputed by the House to make choice of Members to serve. But perhaps an amicable arrangement can be come to between the House and the Committee of Selection." Cf. Birmingham Water Bill. Select Committee. Vol. 3.— April 4, 1892. Attendance of Members. Mr. Speaker's attention being called to the following entry in the Votes : — " Railway Bills (Group 4) — Mr. Wyndham reported from the Committee on Group 4 of Railway Bills that Dr. Cameron and Mr. Kenny, two of the Members of the said Committee, were not present within one hour after the time appointed for the meeting of the Com- mittee this day — Ordered, That Dr. Cameron and Mr. Kenny do attend the Committee on Group 4 of Railway Bills to-morrow at twelve of the clock " — and it being explained that, in the ease of Mr. Kenny, he had received no intimation of the day and hour when he would be required, and that the entry implied a censure, Mr. Speaker stated that, under these circumstances, no censure is implied. Cf. Order. Select Committee. Vol. 296, pp. 1841-2.— April 16, 1885. Chairman : Withdrawal of. In this case the Chairman of a Committee upon a Bill had retired after hearing the whole of the evidence, and Mr. Speaker is asked what effect the withdrawal has had on the finding of the Committee. Mr. Speaker replied that the withdrawal would not in any way invalidate the pro- ceedings of the Committee. Those left on the Committee would be competent to choose another Chairman in bis place, and proceed to deal with their Report. A Report had, in accordance with the Regulations of the House, been made to the House of the retirement, owing to the Member being unable to act, as interested. The proceedings were not invalidated ab initio or in any part, and there is no action for the House to take. Cf . North-Eastem Railway (Hull Docks) Bill. Vol. 5, pp. 1920-1.— June 27, 1892. Debate on Appointment. After the House has appointed a Select Committee the question of its appointment is not open to debate. If the Order of Reference leaves any doubt, a Member can put an Instruction on the Paper. In this case a Committee had been appointed to consider the admission of strangers to the House, and a question arising whether "Strangers" included ladies and members of the Press, Mr, Speaker ruled ut supra.. Cf. House of Commons (Admission of Strangers). Vol. 9, p. 688.— February 28, 1893.' SELECT COMMITTEES. 129 Dealing with matters beyond the Order of Reference. The Private Bill Procedure (Scotland) Bill being referred to a Select Committee, Mr. Speaker is asked whether it would be competent for the Committee to go into the question of Provisional Orders without an Instruction. Mr. Speaker considered the Committee might make a Special Eeport, but, without an Instruction, they could not emhody in the BUI recommendations respecting Provisional Orders. Cf. Private Bill Procedure (Scotland) Bill. Vol. 362, p. 158.— April 9, 1891. Anticipating subjects referred to a Committee. A Motion, seeking to ask the opinion of the House on a matter referred to a Select Committee, is not out of order and is without precedent for or against, but it is unusual and inconvenient. Cf . Supply : Committee Motion. Local Taxation. Vol. 351, p. 934.— March 13, 1891. Disclosure of Proceedings in. The proceedings of a Select Committee, when the room has been cleared for the purpose of discussing matters in private, are of a strictly private and confidential nature, and it is highly irregular to publish the details of what pass.ed. Cf. Parliament. Select Committee. Vol. 285, pp. 1548-50.— March 14, 1884. Premature reference to. It is not proper to refer to what has passed before a Committee when the evidence has not been published or any Report presented to the House. Cf. Tenants Arbitration (Ireland) Bill. Vol. 28, p. 276.— August 7, 1894. Publication hy the Press of Deliberations, 8fo. Complaint being made to the Speaker that a series of paragraphs appeared in a paper, giving detailed particulars of the deliberations of the Select Committee and of the proposals in the Chairman's Draft Report — Mr. Speaker said it was for the Chairman to consult with his colleagues as to the best means of preventing such publication to the pubKo before the officid presentation to the House. Cf. The Irish Land Committee and The Times. Vol. 28, p. 1267.— August 16, 1894. Reference to Report of. If the Report of a Committee has been laid on the Table of the House it is quite in order to refer to the proceedings. Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 306, p. 1494.— June 11, 1886. I 130 SITTING OF THE HOUSE. THE SPEAKER. SITTING OF THE HOUSE. After Midnight: Effect. The fact of the House sitting after midnight does not constitute a fresh sitting. In this case a Motion teing made for an Address to Her Majesty to withhold Her assent from an alteration in the Scotch Education Code, and an hon. Member calling attention to the fact that the Act, if not opposed, became effective on the 10th of May, and asking if that period is not expired, Mr. Speaker ruled that this was a sitting of the 10th (May, scil.), although one o'clock has passed. Cf. Scotch Education Code, Vol. 24, pp. 901-2.— May 10, 1894. THE SPEAKER. Absence of: State Ceremonial. In case of detention at a Royal Wedding to which Mr. Speaker had been invited, he asks the House to allow the Chairman of Committees to take his place at the commencement of Business on the day. Cf. The Speaker and the Royal Wedding. Vol. 14, p. 950.— July 5, 1893. Action of: Reference to. An hon. Member is not entitled to make reference to the action of the Speaker. In this case a Member referring to the Closure Motion by a Minister said " That he received from Mr. Speaker a well-merited rebuke." Cf . Business of the House (Morning Sittings) . Vol. 9, p. 460.— February 7, 1893. Appeal to : from Chairman of Committees. It is not in order to appeal to the Speaker from a ruling of the Chair- man of Committees. In this case the Chairman reported that an hon. Member had been named by him to the Committee as disregarding the authority of the Chair, and that the Committee hsid resolved that he be suspended from the service of the House. Mr. Speaker is asked whether it is possible to obtain his ruling with reference to the ruling of the Chairman from the Chair, in consequence of which the Motion now reported to Mr. Speaker was carried. Mr. Speaker—" That is not in order now." Cf. Supply: Civil Services, &c. Vol. 341, p. 1671.— February 28, 1890. Cf. also. Customs and Inland Revenue Bill. Vol. 11, p. 1710. — May 1, 1893. An hon. Member is not entitled to raise before Mr. Speaker any ques- tions as to what goes on in Committee. Such questions must be dealt with in the Committee. Cf. Obedience to the Chair. Vol. 16, p. 111.— July 20, 1893. THE SPEAKER. 131 Cf. also. The Special Closure Resolution, ibid., pp. 668-9, where Mr. Speaker is asked to interpret a Resolution of the House, and Mr. Speaker remarked that it «rould be more respectful to put the Question to the Chairman of Committees, as the Resolu- tion was a direction to the Chairman, who had already acted upon it and would be «alled to act upon it again. Challenging the Speaker's Conduct. When the conduct of the Speaker in the Chair is challenged the ordinary and proper course is to proceed by Notice. Cf . Parliament. The New Rules of Procedure. Vol. 294, pp. 1421-4.— February 26, 1883. It would be out of order to impugn the conduct of the Speaker other- ■wise than upon a direct appeal to the House by the substantive Motion open to Amendment, on which a definite issue could be raised and the judgment of the House obtained. Mr. Sexton asked leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, viz. : — The course of action pursued by Mr. Speaker on the 24th ultimo, in silencing the Member for Wexford, naming the Member for MaUow, and procuring the application of the Closure Rule to & Debate ; and the consequent danger to the constitutional rights of Members of the House to speak and vote. Mr. Sexton having brought his Notice to the Table — Mr. Speaker — " I think it my duty to make some remarks to the House in con- nection with this Motion which the hon. Member has just handed to me. It would, I think, be a matter of very grave and dangerous import if, upon such action as the hon. Member proposes now to take, my conduct in the Chair were impugned. The House has intrusted me as Speaker of this House with large discretionary powers, and these •discretionary powers have been greatly increased by the Rules that were passed in 1882. If upon my exercise of any of these powers my action is to be brought before the notice of the House, not by way of definite Motion to which a definite Amendment can be moved, but by way of casual conversation and indirect assaults upon the Chair, then I sa.j, and I say it solemnly, that the bonds of discipline in this House will be relaxed, and a grave if not a fatal blow will be aimed at the authority of the Chair. I have pointed out the consequences which would ensue. I have also to point out to the House that the action now proposed to be taken by the hon. Member is out of order. It is my duty to respect the rights of every hon. Member of this House, but, in common with all other Members of this House, I have my rights, and my right is that if my conduct is impugned it should be impugned by a direct appeal to the House upon Notice of Motion, properly given, when a direct issue would be laid before the House, and an Amendment be moved which shall test the judgment of the House. I ruled this ■on more than one occasion during last year ; and I should not be doing my duty to the House if, for the sake of getting any personal advantage by having the matter imme- diately discussed, I were to transgress what I believe to be a Rule and Order of the Bouse. It is to my interest, as I said before, to have this matter fully discussed ; but I must rule that the action taken by the hon. Member is out of order, and I will take upon myself not to allow this Motion to be submitted to the House. I submit my -conduct to the judgment of the House, and by the verdict of the House I must and 1 am content to abide." Cf . Adjournment. The New Rule of Procedure. The Rulings of Mr. Speaker. Vol. 294, pp. 1912-3.— March 3, 1885. 132 THE SPEAKER. Challenging the Speaker's Ruling. Any Question affecting the conduct of the Chair, or any ruling giveJ^ , by Mr. Speaker, should come before the House in such a way that the whole House should be able to decide upon it. The proper course is to give notice, and put the Motion in a specific form before the House, so that the whole House at large may be able to pronounce an opinion on it. Cf. Parliament. Amendments on Motion for going into Committee. Rulings of Mr. Speaker. Vol. 288, pp. 488-94. -May 15, 1884. Letters Reflecting upon. An hon. Member calling attention to a letter in The Westminster Gazette written by a Member, charging a whole Party in the House with obstruction, and impugning the conduct of the Speaker in the Chair, and Motion being made that the letter be read by the Clerk at the Table and the letter being read — Mr. Speaker, then intervening, expressed himself that it was not, in his opinion, im accordance with good parliamentary traditions that any Member taking offence at his- conduct in the Chair should write to the newspapers. The Closure was in the Speaker's absolute discretion, subject to the terms of the Standing Order. Mr. Speaker did not excuse the letter, nor did he take any particular exception to it on his own account. There was a charge against Members as well as against him personally : but Mr. Speaker thought the House could afford to pass over it, and that hon. Members, after what had passed, would feel it more consonant to their own dignity and the traditions- of the House to bring any matter of complaint before the House, where it could he- argued. And thereupon the Member stated he should not proceed with the Motion, he had intended to submit to the House. Cf. Privilege. Parliament Obstruction Vol. 9, pp. 1866-9.— March 13, 1893. An hon. Member bringing before the House a letter written to the- Press by a Member gravely impugning the conduct of the Speaker in the Chair, and the letter having been brought up and read by the Clerk,. Mr. Speaker addressed the House as followeth : — " I do not know whether the way in which the bon. gentleman has introduced this- Question permits me to say anything to the House now. It was at no instance of mine that this Question has been brought forward. I did not know till the present moment that this letter was going to be submitted to the notice of the House. I had not read, the letter, and did not know its contents until it was read a moment ago. The hon. gentleman who has signed this letter — I do not know whether he is present— has in past Parliaments taken upon himself to censure my conduct in the Chair, and past Parliaments have signified their disapprobation of the conduct of the hon. gentleman. In all seriousness I cannot think it is respectful to the Hoate for any hon. Member who thinks my conduct is censurable to write to the newspapers. His proper course is- to impugn my conduct in this House, and I shall be quite ready to meet the imputation. The hon. gentleman is not justified in saying that I treated him with curt severity.. It appears to me, on hearing this letter read, that the hon. Member was defending- himself against a charge made against him by someone that bis intervention for the Closure was inopportune at the moment, and so I deemed it to be. My action during the whole of that evening is before the House. I maintain that my action in refusing the Closure actually led to a friendly arrangement being made between both sides of the House, which otherwise, I think, would not have been arrived at for some time. The only part which I can take to-night is to deprecate any severe action on the part THE SPEAKER. 133 ■of the House which it might possibly he willing to take as regards the hon. gentleman. My only course is to leave my conduct to the judgment of calm- thinking and fair- minded men. Nothing I should more deeply feel than that there should be any just reflection upon my conduct in this Chair. The past relations in which the House has permitted me to stand towards them justifies me in thinking that I am not generally accused of what the hon. Member has accused me of, and 1 hope I may venture to say that there is not another Member of the House who could think so, or who would accuse me (whatever my failings and short-comings may have been during a period of •ten years) of having been partial to one side or the other." Cf . Privilege. The Speaker and Mr. Conybeare. Vol. 14, pp. 820-5.— July 4, 1893. N.B. — In accordance with Mr. Speaker's advice the matter was dropped. On a subsequent occasion Mr. Conybeare, asking the indulgence of the House, in the ■course of his speech made fresh imputations against the Speaker, whereupon Mr. Speaker expressed himself on such conduct, and the letter being again read, Motion was made, " That the letter written by Mr. Conybeare, published in The Daily Chronicle newspaper of the 3rd July, constitutes a breach of the Privileges of this H ouse ' ' ; and Mr. Conybeare being heard and withdrawing. Question put and agreed to nemine eoniradicente, and therefore Motion was made — " That Mr. Conybeare be suspended from the service of the House for one week," and Mr. Speaker suggesting that if vhehon. Member came into the House and apologised to the Speaker, as Speaker of the House, and through the Speaker to the House of Commons itself, the House might accept the apology, and the Motion be withdrawn, and Mr. Conybeare being called into the House, and reading a written apology, the same was accepted, and the motion withdrawn. Cf. Mr. Conybeare's Letter to The Daily Chronicle. Vol. 14, pp. 1094-1111.— July 7, 1893. Memorial to, from Outside Bodies. If outside bodies complain of grievance caused by the action of the House they should do so by way of a Petition presented by a Member and laid before the House in the ordinary way. The Speaker is not the proper medium of communication for information of that sort. In this case. certain electors of Belfast sent to the Speaker a Memorial complajning ■of the suspense caused by the action of the House in the matter of a Member wh6 had been ordered to attend in his place, and Mr. Speaker did not think it right to lay the Memorial before the House, and ruled ut supra. Cf. Mr. DeCohain. Vol. 356, pp. 136-7.— July 23, 1891. Questions to : Anticipator t/. Mr. Speaker settles Points of Order as they arise, not by anticipation. Cf. Parliament. Business of the House. Vol. 286, p. 616. -March 24, 1884. An hon. Member asking Mr. Speaker whether certain Instructions on the Paper to the Committee on a Bill which was taken on the morrow were in order or not ? Mr. Speaker — " It is unusual to ask a Question of that kind until the Order is reached and about to be proceeded with." Cf. Local Taxation Duties BiU. Vol. 345, p. 436.— June 9, 1890. 134 SUPPLY. SUPPLY. The New Rule. Under Standing Order, November 27, 1882, the Speaker leaves the Chair without Question put on Mondaj s and Thursdays, except on first going into Committee of Supply on the Army, Navy, or Civil Service Estimates ; and if the Supplementary Estimates are proposed on Mon- days or Thursdays as the first Order of the Day, the Speaker will leave the Chair as soon as the Order for going into Committee of Supply is- read, and no Amendment can be moved. Cf . Parliament. The New Rules of Procedure. Vol. 285, p. 549.— March 5, 1884. Motions on going into Committee of Supply. Motions standing in the names of Members on the Estimates, if not moved on the day on which they appear on the Paper, are carried on to- a future day. They are taken off" if the Members putting them down desire it. On the Question that the Speaker leave the Chair it is competent, while the Speaker is in the Chair, for a Member to move a Motion standing in his name, although it were on the Paper on a previous day and not then moved. The right of private Members is exhausted on first going into Committee on the Army Estimates ; but on a Friday it is competent for an hon. Member to move a Motion on the Question for leaving the Chair. Cf. Point of Order : Motions on going into Committee of Supply. Vol. 342, p. 881.— March 14, 1890. Committee Motion. Amendment to : Mover of. A Motion of the nature of an Amendment to the Question " That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair " is the exclusive property of the Member who has put it down, and in whose name it stands, and caimot be moved by another Member. Cf. Supply Committee. Vol. 9. p. 1663.— March 10, 1893. Convmittee Motion. Am,endment : Lim,itation. No Amendment can be moved, or any Question raised, unless it relates- to the Estimates proposed to be taken in supply, which means in Com- mittee of Supply generally, and not in reference to any particular class of Estimates. An Amendment, for instance, which does not refer to- any act of the Executive, and does not impugn the conduct of any oflB.cer whose salary is comprised in the Estimates to be taken geneially, but SUPPLY. 135 calls attention to the propriety of introducing a general amendment of the law, is not within the letter or spirit of the Standing Order. Cf. Supply. Law and Justice. VoL 296, pp. 1008-10.— March 30, 1885. Amendment Negatived. If an Amendment to the Question " That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair," viz., to leave out all the words after " That" to the end of the Question in order to add other words, be negatived, the main Question is again proposed. Observations may be thereupon allowed, but no further Amendment can be put from the Chair. Cf. Supply. Committee. Navy. Hired Transports. Vol. 295, pp. 1263-4, 1278, also State of the Navy, pp. 1278-85.— March 16, 1885. Committee Motion Negatived and Am,endm,ent Negatived. When the Order for Supply has been passed over, being defeated in favor of an Amendment which, when put, has in turn been negatived, and Supply has been set up for a future day, and the Clerk has pro- ceeded to read the Orders of the Day, the stage is passed at which Supply could be immediately set up. Cf. Parliament. Business of the House. Arrangement of Supply. Vol. 303, pp. 1423-8.— March 19, 1886. .4m,endment carried and Amendment to main Question as amended. The Motion for going into Supply — " That the Speaker do now leave the Chair " — being negatived, by the omission of all the words after " That," and the addition thereto of other words of the nature of a Resolution, and the main Question as amended being proposed, and an Amendment thereto — viz., the addition of further words — being pro- posed, and by the lapse of time the Debate becoming adjourned, on coming to the Order the Speaker would again propose the substantive Resolution, and then the Amendment already moved to it. If the Amendment be carried, the Speaker will put the whole Resolution as amended ; if the Amendment be negatived, the Speaker will put the sub- stantive Motion only. But if Supply be taken on Monday or Thursday, the Speaker would be obliged to leave the Chair without Question put. On Friday following, the Speaker would put the Question — " That I do now leave the Chair" (Committee of Supply); and then Amendments specially put down for that day would take precedence of any other Amendments. It is impossible to say what would become of the other Motion and Amendment thereto. Facilities might be given for treating the subject as a Motion and giving it a place among the Orders of the Day on a Government night. But that is in the discretion of the Government. Cf. The Indian Opium Trafac. Vol. 352, pp. 304, 344, 384-5— April 10 and 13, 1891. 136 SUPPLY. Committee Motion : Amendment withdrawn. If the Motion for the Speaker to leave .the Chair be withdrawn, an Amendment thereto of which notice has been given is thereby disposed of. Cf Supply. Vol. 344, p. 1199.— May 16, 1890. Cf. also, pp. 1207-8. Arranffement of Votes. Estimates in a Vote on Account having been presented in a new form, Mr. Speaker is asked whether, if the Vote is passed, it will not commit the House to the change proposed, and preclude the Question of re- arrangement being re-opened in the same Session. Mr. Speaker — " It is for the House to judge whether it will preclude any Question from heing raised again ; it is not a Question of Order." Cf . Conduct of Business : Arrangement of the Votes. Vol. 341, p. 1521.— February 28, 1890. When the House is in Committee an hon. Member would be in order in moving to report progress, in order to raise the Question in what form the Votes are to be taken in the House. Cf. Conduct of Business : Arrangement of the Votes. Vol. 341, p. 1522.— February 28, 1890. An alteration may be made, by the consent of the House, of the order in which Votes are to be taken. In this ease, the Navy, Army, and Civil Service Votes being on the flrders of the Day, the First Lord of the Treasury appealed to be allowed to take the Foreign Office Vote before the Army and Navy Votes. In reply to a Question of Order, Mr. Speaker ruled ut supra. Cf. The Autumn Session : Business of the House. Vol. 348, p. 274.— August 8, 1890. Precedence of Notices : Application of Standing Order 21. Standing Order xxi. providing that " Whenever Committee of Supply stands as the first Order of the Day on Monday or Thursday Mr. Speaker shall leave the Chair without putting any question, unless on first going into Supply on the Army, Navy, or Civil Service Estimates, respectively, or on any Vote of Credit, an Amendment be moved on question raised relating to the Estimates proposed to be taken in Supply " — Mr. Speaker is asked if a Motion to give certain Notices precedence over Supply be carried the Standing Order wiU apply ? or, whether any hon. Member will have the right to raise any question he may think fit on the Question " That the Speaker do now leave the Chair." Mr. Speaker ruled that precedence of Notices would not prevent the subsequent appUoation of the Standing Order. Supply would still stand as the first Order of the SUPPLY. 137 Day. The House must decide, not the Speaker, whether any Business, of which proper notice has been given, shall take precedence of Supply. Of. Parliament. Business of the House. Vol. 302, pp. 911-12.— February 22, 1886. Count out. It is a Standing Order that Supply be put down for Monday, Wednes- day, and Friday. In this case the House was counted out on Friday, and neither on the following Monday, nor on Wednesday, when attention was called, did it appear on the Orders. Mr. Speaker presumed it had been forgotten : it should be set up on those days. It ibeing then after half-past five, it was set up for Friday at two p.m. Of. The Order of Supply. Vol. 14, p. 1429.— July 12, 1893. Resumption of Committee of Supply. Certain votes having been reported, the ordinary course of Business was interrupted by reason of an extraordinary counsel with the House itself, -to enable the Prime Minister to make a statement. The statement having been made, a Question was proposed " That this House will immediately resolve itself into Committee of Supply." Objection was taken that the ■Order for Supply having beSn set up and discharged by the Chairman reporting votes it was not competent to move that the House immediately resolve itself into Committee of Supply. It was further asked whether -the Resolution which extended to Saturdays the Standing Order as to Mondays and Thursdays was now applicable, and whether Supply hot being now the first Order, Motions could be discussed on the Question -that the Speaker leave the Chair. Mr. Speaker ruled that the interruption took place with the permission of the House, and that he would observe both the letter and spirit of the resolution agreed to recently, that on the Question of the House going into Committee of Supply on Saturday he should immediately leave the Chair, that there was nothing in the interruption to prevent the House being in the same position as when it met to-day at twelve o'clock, and that, under the circumstances, be would leave the Chair without any Question being raised upon it. It being pointed out that there was no necessity for immediately setting up Supply, as the Speaker had simply taken the Chair for an important communication to be made by the Prime Minister, and therefore Com- mittee of Supply should be resumed without a Question put : — Mr. Speaker concurred, but stated that as the Motion was made he was bound to put it. And further, in reply to the objection that Resolutions had been reported, Mr. Speaker pointed but that lie Chairman could not leave the Chair without reporting to the Speaker the proopedings of the Committee. The House had made an Order as to the time when the Committee should sit again ; it might therefore properly proceed as if there had been no interruption. Cf. Parliament. Supply. Vol. 291, pp. 1530-3.— August 2, 1884. 138 SUPPLY. Setting up Supply when superseded hy Amendment. When the Motion that the Speaker do now leave the Chair (Supply) has been superseded by an Amendment carried, it is a matter for the discretion of the Government, and not an imperative obligation, to re- set-up Supply, though when the Government refrain from setting up Supply again they generally so exercise their discretion at a later hour than half-past seven. When Motion is made for Supply to be taken on a future day, and no objection raised, the Speaker has no other coui'se than to say " Supply (in this case) Monday." The point is one to be settled according to the discretion of the House- and the Government, and not for the Speaker. Cf . The Course of Business on Friday last. Vol. 350, pp. 689-91.— February 16, 1891. Fridays, Setting up a Second Time. An Amendment to the Motion for Supply Committee having been carried, and Supply thereupon having been set down for Monday next, in answer to a Question whether it is not always the practice of the Govern- ment on Fridays to set up Supply a second time, Mr. Speaker said it entirely depended on the Government and the time of night. Cf . Education and Local Taxation Relief (Scotland) . Vol, 1, p. 1447.— February 26, 1892. Committee Motion Negatived : Setting up Supply. If the Committee Motion is negatived in favor of a Resolution, it is- entirely optional for the Government to set up Supply again or not. A great deal depends upon the hour of the night. It is not a Question for the Speaker but for the Government whether a Member could move a Motion on the Paper in his name (on going into- Supply) if the Supply Committee has been negatived. Cf. Supply- Commii tee. Small Holdings. Ireland. Vol. 23, p. 425.— April 13, 1894. Report : Precedence of. When, by Resolution, the House has given precedence to Committees of Supply and Ways and Means, report of Supply must be taken as part of the same transaction as Committee of Supply, and is therefore covered by the Resolution. Cf. Parliament. Business of the House. Vol. 308, p. 1481. — September 7, 1886, Report : Consideration of: Preliminary Procedure. Report of Supply must be handed in to the Clerk before it can be con- sidered. The House cannot force the Government to take the Order if SUPPLY. 139 they do not wish to take it. A formal proceeding has to be taken before the Report can be taken. The Government are masteis of the situation, and they can do as they please. Cf. Supply. Report. Vol. 29, pp. 123-4.— August 20, 1894. Report : Irreyular Amendment. On the Question " That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution," a Member sought to move an Amendment " That this House declines to appropriate any amount of the Grant-in-Aid of Education in Ireland otherwise than towards the current use of educa- tion in Ireland," when Mr. Speaker ruled that the Member would not be in order in so doing. The Member could divide against the Motion. Cf. Supply. Report. Vol. 2, p. 1172.— March 17, 1892. Reduction of Vote. On the Question " That this House doth agree with the Committee in the Resolution ' that a sura be granted,' " &c., &c., it is not competent tO' move the reduction of the Vote. The House must say " Aye " or " No " to the Question whether the House agrees with the Committee in the Resolution. Cf. Supply. Report. Vol. 347, p. 444.— July 21, 1890. Cf. also. Supply. Report. Vol. 17, pp. 556-7.- September 7, 1893 ; and p. 1634.— September 19, 1893. Irregular Amendment. When the whole Vote ( Resolution — That a sum not exceeding £ ) has already been put to the House, a Motion for reduction cannot be entertained. Cf. Supply. Report. Vol. 2, p. 1401.— March 21, 1892. Precedence of : Temporary Suspension. When, by Resolution, the House gives precedence to a Bill over all Orders of the Day and Notices of Motion that Resolution is a suspension of Standing Order xi., which gives precedence to Supply or Ways and Means on Friday. When precedence is given to particular Business it implies the suspension of the Standing Orders ordinarily regulating the course of Business. Under such circumstances there is no obligation to place Supply as the second Order on Friday. If Supply had been placed second, there being no effective Supply, the only result would have been that Government would put off Supply as soon as that Order was reached. Friday is a Government night, subject only to the limitation of Supply standing first. If Supply can be got out of the way the Government take the other Orders. On Tuesday the case would be different ; precedence would be given to the Bill, and if the proceedings thereon came to an end 140 SUPPLY. any time before twelve o'clock private Members would re-enter their rights. Notices ^ould be next taken, the precedence being given only for that particular Government Order. Cf. Business of the House. Vol. 3S2, p. 1797.— April 30, 1891. Cf. also. A Question of Order. Ibid., pp. 1853-4.— May 1, 1891. Vole on Account for Future Year. It being proposed to take a Vote on Account for the Ci^al Services and Revenue Departments Estimates, 1885-6, that is, not referring to the present year but to the new financial year commencing 1st of April, 1885, Mr. Speaker is asked, if the Government take this Vote on Account and bring it in after Mr. Speaker has left the Chair and Committee of Supply has been begun on the Estimates for the current year, whether private Members will be deprived of the opportunity which would other- wise be afforded to them of moving an Amendment to the Motion that Mr. Speaker leave the Chair on first going into Committee of Supply on the Civil Service Estimates for the next financial year. Mr. Speaker — ' ' The opportunity for discussion to which the hon. Member refers will be given on the regular Civil Service Estimates of the year." Cf. Parliament. Order. Amendment on the Motion for going in to Committee of Supply. Vol. 295, pp. 893-4.— March 12, 1885. Supply : Debate, Latitude of. On a Vote for a sum to defray the salaries and expenses of the Foreign ■Office, Mr. Speaker ruled that the Vote was of so wide a nature that it might be permissible to go into the whole question of the Egyptian policy -of the Government. Cf. Egypt. Policy of Her Majesty's Government. Vol. 292, p. 3.— August 6, 1884. Committee Motion: Debate. No Question can be raised as a Motion which does not appertain to the Estimates to be taken in Supply. Of. Supply Committee. Crime and Outrage. Vol. 308, pp. 1766-7.— September 9, 1886. Cf. also. Law and Justice (Ireland). Ibid, pp. 1774-6. It is altogether out of order to enter into details on the Motion that the Speaker do leave the Chair, or to refer to Estimates not now before the House, but which have been disposed of in the previous Session, or to go into details on any Vote submitted in Committee. Cf . Supply. Department of Woods and Forests. Vol. 308, pp. 1789-1793.— September 9, 1886. SUPPLY. 14L Adjournment of Debate on Amendment. If an Amendment be moved to the Committee Motion, and the Debate thereon be adjourned, the Standing Order of November, 1882, will not preclude the resumption of the Debate on a future day, but the Debate willl be continued on the next day on which the Estimates are set down. Cf. Parliament. Public Business. Standing Order 485a. Vol. 303, p. 826.— March 16, 1886. Setting up of Supply : Debate. A Motion " That the House will immediately resolve itself into a Committee of Supply " is a purely formal one for the purpose of setting up Supply, and a genereil Debate would not be permissible. It has for many years been the practice for the Motion to be agreed to without Debate. Cf . Parliament. Business of the House. Setting up Supply. Yol. 290, pp. 932-S.— July 14, 1S84. Withdrawal of Supply : Attempt to speak on Amendment to Original Motion. An Amendment to the Motion for Committee of Supply having been negatived on Division, by the House affirming that the words stand, the- Motion for Supply is still before the House. If, immediately upon the result of the Division being declared. Supply is withdrawn and set down for another day, and the Speaker announces the same, it is too late for an hon. Member to move an Amendment, of which he has given notice,, to the Motion that the Speaker leave the Chair, that Motion having been withdrawn. It was competent for any Member to have discussed the Motion for withdrawal. Cf. Adjournment. Vol. 344, pp. 1207-8.— May 16, 1890. Supplementary Estimates. Committee Motion : Debate. The Standing Order of the 27th November, 1882, applies to first going- into supply on the Army, Navy, or Civil Service Estimates. The Rule does not apply to Supplementary Estimates. When the Order for Com- mittee is read the Speaker will leave the Chair without Question put. Cf. Supply. Order of November 27, 1882. Vol. 293, pp. 1596-9.— November 13, 1884. Rules of Debate. Mr. Speaker being asked to state for the information of the House the Rule relating to the intention in the discussion of the Supplementary 142 SUPPLY. Estimates as to debating the question of principles belonging to the Original Estimate to which the Vote is Supplementary — After stating his reluctance to answer any question which might seem to be in the nature of an appeal from the Chairman of Committees to himself, and regarding the question as not such an appeal, Mr. Speaker said—" Undoubtedly of late years a certain re- striction has been placed upon the discussion of Supplementary Estimates, and they have been restrictions to the items which form the bulk of the Supplementary Estimates. As a general rule, on the Supplementary Estimates, it is in order to discuss only the par- ticular items which constitute the Supplementary Estimates, and the sub-heads of the original Estimates can only be referred to so far as they are involved in the fair dis- cussion of the points contained in the items asked for in the Supplementary Estimates. 'Of course, it is quite obvious it would be improper, as a general rule, to raise on a Supplementary Estimate the whole question of policy involved in the Original Estimate, hut, as I have stated, the discussion is properly confined to the items of the Supple- mentary Estimate. I think, however, that I ought to state that items of Supplementary Estimates may raise in themselves questions of policy, but the interpretation whet her they_ do raise questions of policy or not must . clearly be left to the Chairman of Com- mittees. If I may be allowed to illustrate what I mean, I would say the question of the draining of any particular house in Constantinople would cleirly not raise the whole .question of foreign Embassies. But, on the other hand, a vote which would largely increase the vote of a railway to Uganda might raise the whole question of the policy involved in the original vote for Uganda It is quite true that restriction has been placed upon the discussion of items in Supplementary Estimates, and the ■question whether principles are involved, either new principles or principles which were originally involved in the original Estimates, must be one entirely at the discretion of the gentleman who occupies the Chair." Cf. The Discussion of Supplementary Estimates. Vol. 9, pp. 975-6.— March 3, 1893. Report : Debate On Resolution of Supply it is out of order to refer to a subject which is not covered by the Resolution. Cf. Supply: Eeport. Vol. 344, pp. 234-6.— June 6, 1890. On the report of a Vote on Account it is out of Order to refer to a Bill. Cf. Supply : Report. Vol. 12, p. 1622.— May 30, 1893. It is out of order, on a Question for agreeing to a Resolution, to speak disrespectfully of the Lords, or to discuss the policy or action of the House of Lords. The question in this case being the salaries of the officers of the Lords, all that was allowable was to ask a question as to ■ what the Government proposed to do. Cf. Supply. Eeport. Vol. 29, pp. 269-70.— August 21, 1894. When the Vote for a particular item has been passed, a Question might be asked in connection therewith, but any detailed or lengthened inquiry into the subject is out of order. Cf. Supply. Eeport. Vol. 29, p. :U4.— August 22, 1894. VOTE OF THANKS. WRIT. 143 VOTE OF THANKS. Precedence of Motion. An hon. Member giving notice that on a subsequent day he proposed to give the House an opportunity of expressing its gratitude to the troops for services in Egypt, Mr. Speaker is asked whether the Motion would come on as a Question of Privilege at half-past four, or whether it would have to take its chance as an ordinary Motion. Mr. Speaker^" Precedence would not be accorded to a Motion of the kind made by a, private Member. Cf . Egypt (War in the Soudan). Vol. 288, p. 434.— May 15, 1884, Resolution of. The House having come to a Resolution which, inter alia, " thanks the •Commissioners for their just and impartial conduct in the matters referred to them," Mr. Speaker is asked whether he has formally conveyed the Hesolution to the Judges, or whether it will be conveyed to them at all. Mr. Speaker — " I have received no directions on the subject." Cf . Ireland : The Special Commission Report. Vol. 342, p. 1824.— March 25, 1890. WRIT. Motion for New. When an election has been vitiated by corrupt and illegal practices it is generally the case that there is in force an Order that two days' clear notice should be given of a Motion to issue a new writ. But it is neither a Sessional Order nor a Standing Order ; and on the first day of Session, and no Order being in force, it is competent to bring forward the Motion for a new writ. Cf. New Writs. Vol. 8, pp. 69, 70.— January 31, 1893. "Where an election is not voided on the ground of corrupt practice the Rule as to two days' notice does not apply. Cf . New Writ. Gloucester (Cirencester) Division. Vol. 8, p. 914.— February 9, 1893. INDEX. ACTS OF PAELIAMENT: page. Errors in print . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . • . . 1 ADDRESS IN EEPLT: Eeport : Notice 1 Debate : Eelevancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Amendments : Eelevancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Debate : Eelevancy . . . . . . . . , , . . 2 ADJOUENMENT OF THE HOUSE: The new rules : Ninth Standing Order . . . . . . . . . . 2 Debate on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , 3- Motion for : On notice or by ballot . . . . . . . . , . , . 3' Moving : Time for . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . , 3 Member : Limitation as to moving ., .. ,. .. ,, ,, S' Debate : Limitation of . , . . . . , . . , . , . . , , 3 Eelevancy of . . . . . . . . . , . . . , . , 3 Amendment to Question : Eelevancy . . . . . . , . . . 4 " Definite matter of urgent public importance " : Q?o disciiss ,. ., i Personal explanation . . . . . . . . . . , , . . 4 Matter to be discussed . . . . . . . . . , . . . . 4 Division on Question . . . . , , , . , , , . , , 4 Motion declined by Speaker . . . . , , , . . . , , 4 Closure moved on . . . . . . . . . . , . . , 5 Anticipating discussion .. .. .. ., ., ., ,, 6 Eelevancy of discussion . . . , . . . , . , , . , , 6' The Derby Day : Motion for & Amendment to . . . . , . . , , , , . , . , , 7 Private Member moving .. ,. ,, ., .. ,, 7 AMENDMENTS : Mover : Limitation as to . . . . , . , , , , . , , , 7 Seconder necessary .. .. .. ., ,. ,, ,, ,, 7 Irregular ; Intervening ., .. ., ., ,. ,, ,, 7 Withdrawal of, and prior Amendment . . . . . . . , , , g " " temporary, and renewal .. ,. ,, .. ,, 8- Putting Question' to safeguard further 8 Relevancy . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . 8 Original words left out, proposed words negatived, further addition to "That" 8 Original words afllrmed : Additional words . , , . . . . . 9 INDEX. 145 AMENDMENTS : page. Prematurely proposed . . . . . . . . . , , . , . . , 9 Irregular : Mere negative . . . . . . . . . , , . . . . . 9 Anticipating discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Reversing previous decision . . , , . , , . . , . . 9 Similar to one disposed of . , , . , . . . . . . . 10 Supply Committee : Withdrawal of Amendments to 10 BILLS : Debate on Stages: Leave and introduction . . . . , , . , . . . , , . 10 Second Heading : Date for . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . 10 Motion for . . 10 jExplanation by Minister in charge , . . . , . . . , . 11 Second Reading : Postponement of . . . . , . . . , . . . . . 1 1 Discharge of Order . . .. ., .. ., .. .. 11 Adjoumment of Debate on ,. .. .. .. ,. H Withdrawal of Bill 11 Relevancy of discussion on Bfll . . .. ,. .. .. .. 11 Money clauses ., .. .. ., .. .. .. ,. 11 Instructions to Committee . . . . , . . . . . . . 12 Committee Order : Discharge ., ,. ,. ,, .. .. 12 Standing Committee : Reference to .. ,. .. .. .. 12 Grand Committee : Reference to , . ,. .. . , . . 12 Consideration : Motion for . . . . . . , . . . . , , . . . 12 Debate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Consequential Amendments ,. ,, ., ., .. 13 Anticipatiug subsequent clause .. ., ., ,. ,. 13 Adjourning Debate . . .. .. .. .. ,. .. 13 Preamble : Undue Debate 14 •Re-committal : To insert new clause . . . . , . . . . . 14 Third Reading : Explanation . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 •Lords' Amendments : Debate : Limitation of . . , , . . 15 •Appropriation Bill : Debate : Relevancy of . . . . . . . . . . . , 15 Second Reading , . . , . . , . . , . . , . 15 Conunittee . . . , . . . . , . . , . . , , 16 Third Reading 16 Private Bills : Second Reading : Postponement 16 Third Reading : Irregular Debate 16 Lords' Amendments , . . . . . . . , . , . 17 BILLS : Pboceduke on Stages; Preliminary objections to : Same Question 17 Similar or identical . , ,, .. ,. .. ., ., 17 Public or private .. .. .. .. .. ,, .. 17 K 146 INDEX. BILLS : !''*■'»=■ Procedure on Staoes: Leave : Motion for, after adverse Resolution 20 Exceeding order of . . . . . . . . . . • ■ • • 20 and Title : Exceeding 20 Money Bills : Preliminary objection , , . . . . • • ■ ■ 22 Discharge of Order . . . . . . . . • • • ■ • • 23 Unusual delay . . . . . . . . . . . . • • • • 23 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . • • • • 23 Titles 23 Introduction of substituted Bill . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Second Beading : Anticipating date . , . . . . . . . . • • • • 24 Date of 24 Government Bills and private Members 24 Second Beading : Moved by other than Member in charge 24 Before printing , . . . . . . . . . • • • ■ 25 Objection to immediate . . . . . . ■ . • • • • 26 Objection . . . . . . . . . . . . • • ■ • 26 Postponement . . . . . . . . . . . • • • 26 Discharge of Order . . . . . . . . . . • • ■ • 26 Notice of opposition . . . . . . . . ■ • • • 26 Twelve o'clock Rule . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Amendment : This day three months . . . . . . . . . • 27 Resolution . . , . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Delaying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Select Committee : Reference to . . , , . . . . .... . . . . 27 Postponement of Second Reading, and reference to . . . . 28 Nomination of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Standing Committee : Reference to . . . . . . . . . . 28 Amendment to . . . , . . . . . . ■ . . • 28 Attempt to withdraw Bill . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Withdrawal of reference . . . . . . . . . ■ . • 28 Hybrid Committee : Reference to . . . . . . . . . ■ 29 Committee for proposed money clauses . . . . . . . . . . 29 Committee : Amendments : Premature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Irregular : Notice of . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Next sitting 29 Discharge of Order and reference to Standing Committee . , 29 Progress : Report of . . . , . . , . . . . . 30 Consideration as amended : Objection to . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. SO Amendments : Orders and Rules . . . . . . . . . . 30 Omission of clause . , . . . . . . . , . . . . 32 Amendments of nature of money clause 32 INDEX. 147 BILLS : PAGE. Peooedure on Stages : Consideration as amended : New clauses : Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Moving: Rules 33 and Amendments , , , . . . . , . . . . 34 Withdrawn clause : Amendment to , . . . . . . . 35 Consideration and immediate Third Beading , , . , . . . . 35 Report before Third Reading . . , , . , . . . . . . 35 Ee-committal and Third Reading . , . , . . . . . . 35 Third Reading : On Report without Amendment . . . ^ . . . . • ■ 36 After Amendment . . . . . , , . , . . . . 36 Re-committal on Order for . . , , , . ,. . . 36 Re-committal : Amendment on . . . . , . . . . . 36 Third Reading : Nemine contradieente , , , , . • , , . . . . 37 Amendment to Question negatived . . . . . . . . 37 Attempt to amend after . . . , . . . . . . . . 37 Passing , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Unusual expedition : Objection to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Assent for . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . 38 Third Reading 38 Lords' Amendments : Consideration, without Notice . . , , . . . . . • 39 Printing . . , . , , . , . , , . , . . , 39 Motion to disagree . . . . . . . . . . . . ■ . 39 Disagreed to : Words restored . . . . . . . . . . 39 Amendments to . . . . . . . . , . . . . . 40 Negativing 40 Objection to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Imposing charges . . , . . , . . . , . . . . 41 Appropriation Bill : Leave: Reduction.. .. .. .. .. ,. .. 41 Second Reading . . . . . , . . . . . . . . 41 Money Bills and Appropriation , . . , . . . . . , . . 41 Money Bills : Unusual expedition . . . . . . . . . . 42 Restitution Bills 43 Provisional Orders BiUs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Semi- Private BiUs : Reference to Select Committee . . . . 43 Private BiUs : Standing Orders : Alterations . . . . , . . , . . , , . . 43 Dispensing with . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Petitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Opposition to . . . . . , . . . . . . . . 44 " " proposed clause .. .. ., .. 44 Second Reading : Amendment to . . . . . . . . 44 Reference, to Committee : Hybrid . . . . . . . . 44 Consideration. Amendments , . . . . . . . . . 4& 148 INDEX. BILLS : PAGE. Pkocedure on Staoes : Private Bills : Third Beading 45 Lords' Amendments . . . , . . . . . . . . 45' BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE: Adjournment : Place on Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . 46- Appropriation Bill : Precedence of . . . . . . . . . . . . 46- Arrangement of Bills . . . . . . . . , . , . . . . . 46- Ballot for BiUs 46- Bills: Count out.. .. .. ., .. .. .. 4T Private Members : Arrangement . . . . . . . . . . 47 Resumption of Conunittee , . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Black rod : Interruption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48' Blocking : Obstruction . . . . . . . , . . . . . . 4S Dropped Orders (Friday Sittings) . . . . . . . . . . . . 48- Financial Business . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . 48 Friday Sittiogs : Opposed Business , , . . . . . . . . 49' Making a House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49^ Matters required to be before Parliament a certain number of days , . 49' Meeting, Hours of : Limitation of Debate.. .. .. .. .. 49' Miaisters : Absence of . . . . . , . . . . . . . , 49' Money Bills and Urgency Bills : Precedence of . . . . . . . . 49- Morning Sittiags and Select Committees . . . . . . . . . , 50 Motion deferred : Appearing in a different Member's name . , . , 50 Opposed Busiaess : Objection . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 The twelve o'clock Eule . . . . . , . . . . . . . , 50 When objection inapplicable ' . . . . . . . . . . . , 61 Business exempt from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Debate on objection . , . . . , . . . , . . . . 51 The twelve thirty Eule : Select Committee.. .. .. .. .. 52: Order of Business . . . . . . , . . . . . . , . , 52. Orders of the Day: Altering date of 52 Petitions : Inconvenient contrivance for presenting . . . . . . . . 52' Postponement . . . , . . . . . , . . . . . . 53- Standing Orders — Suspension of : Effect . . . . . . . . . , 53- Statement as to Business , . . . . , . . . . . . . . 63- Supplementary Estimates , . . . , . . , , . . , . . 53- Supply and Ways and Means : Eeports of Committees . . . . . . . , . . . , . . 53' Fridays . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . , . . 54 Wednesday Sittings : Quorum and count out . . . . . . . . 54 CHAIEMAN OF COMMITTEE: Appeal from , . 54 Judgment of the House on'action of,, ., ,, .. .. .. 55 CLOSURE: Rule as to moving . . . . . . . . , . , . . . . . 55. Application to Questions put , . ,. ,. .. .. .. .. 55 Obligation to put ...... ., .. ,. ., ,. 55 INDEX. 149 CLOSUEE: Premature application. . Application, Subsequent reference to Attempt to withdraw main Question Further Amendment to Amendment The twelve o'clock Rule Grand Committees DEBATE : Addressing the Chair . . Adjournment of : Notice Eules as to Mover of Seconder . . Motion declined by Chair Member speaking on Relevance of remarks on . . Pre-audience to mover . . Adjourned : Revival of . . Resumption of on Amendments Anticipating discussion Closing of : Question put and voices taken Committees : Premature reference to Committees, Select: Question of : Debate Nomination of Members . . Number of : Motion as to Reflection upon Dilatory Motions Interruption Explanatory Denial of . . Irregular : No Question Judges : Reference to Language : Permissible Threatening Unparliamentary . . Referring to outside persons Unparliamentary in private Reference to the Lords . . Reference to Debates in the Lords Member speaking : Motion to refuse further speech Ministerial statement . . Motion : Withdrawal of Newspapers : Reading from . . Objection to Bills : Statement ■Opposed Business : Explanation ■Order : Speaking to Discussion — Renewal 150 INDEX. DEBATE: PAGE. Suspension of Member 75 Personal explanation . . 75 Questions in Debate . . 75 Eeading speech 75 Reference to previous Debate . . 75 Eelevancy and irrelevancy 76. Speeches outside the House . . 77 Eeply: Eight of .. ... 78. Eesponsibility for statement 78 Seconder 78 Speaking twice 78 DIVISIONS: Notice of 79' 79 Quorum : Tellers counted . . 79' 80 Members' votes : When not recorded . . 80' Member failing to vote : General rule 80' Correction of lists 80' DOCUMENTS : Printing of 81 Quoting : Eules as to 81 Vote of credit 81 INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMITTEES: Notice necessary 82- General rules as to 82 84 Premature Motion for 84 84 Objection to : Not sustained 84 Negatived and out of Order . . 85 Private Bills : Ee-committal 85 To divide Bills 85 8& To strike a Bill out of a cluster 87 87 Standing Orders : To suspend 87 Unnecessary . . 87 Motion to preclude : Attempt to amend 87 Irregular : Attempt to amend 88 Enlargement of 88 Prefatory words 88 Attempt to discuss Bill on . . 8* Private Bills : Notice of Instruction 89 89 Eight to Move : Mandatory 89 On consideration 89 Altering preliminary procedure 89 Particular exemption 90 INDEX. 151 INSTEUCTIONS TO COMMITTEES: page. ^ Private Bills : Crown Eights : Inyading . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Excessive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Irrelevant . . , . . . . . , , . . . . . . . . 90 Unnecessary . . . . . . , . . , . . . . . . 90 Extinguishing existing rights . , . . . . . . . . . . 90 Doubtful 91 JOURNALS OF THE HOUSE: Incorrect entry : Committee .. 91 MEMBERS : Parliamentary Oath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Attendance ordered . . . . , . . , . . . . . . . . 92 Barristers in Parliament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Expulsion from House . . . . . . , . . . . . . . 93 Suspension of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Double return . . . . . . , , , , . . . . , . . . 94 Language of : Under review by House . . . . . . . . . . 94 Pecuniary and pei-sonal interest . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Personal explanation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . 95 Places 96 Raised to the peerage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Questions referring to . . , . . * . . . . . . . . . . 97 Eight to vote after appointment to office . . . . . . 97 Pairing . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . 97 MESSAGES FROM THE CROWN: Uncovering on receiving.. .. 98 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT: Correction of 98 MOTIONS : Notice of ' 98 Insufficient . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Opposed : Adjournment of . . . . , , , . . . . . . . 99 Amending: Form of.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 99 Irregular : Anticipating Bills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Conflicting with previous Decision , . . . . . . . . . 99 Language . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . • 100 Reflecting on the Lords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Containing distinct propositions . , . . . . . . . • • 100 Opposed: Irregular Question as to .. .. .. .. .. 100 Postponement of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Moved for by other Member . . . . . . . . . . ... 101 Withdrawal of, and attempt to renew at earlier date 101 Amendments to : Mover . . . , . . . . . . . . 101 Irregular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE: The Clerk of the House : Resignation 101 The Sergeant-at-Arms : Retirement . . . . . . . . • . 192 ORDER: Point of time for raising 102 PERMISSION OP THE HOUSE 102 152 INDEX. PETITIONS: Presentation of. . Reading on presentation Signatories to : Age . . , . Signatures forged Eecord of . . ' . . Discussion on . . ' ' . . . . fiefeiring various, to one Committee PEEVIOtrS QUESTION: Form of.. PRINTING A PAPER: Authority for PRIVATE BUSINESS: Motion: Objected to PRIVILEGE : LangiiSge outside the House . . Members and the Press . , Return affecting a Member . . Seat : Taking of Amendinent to Question of . . " " . . Debate : Limitation of Witnesses : Protection of . . ' ' . . Lords' Amendments : Special entry Press, and breach of . . QUESTIONS : Notice of Without Notice : Rules . . ._ Absence of Member who has given Notice Member declining to put . . . . Delay in asking Alteration or removal of . . . . Alteration : Notice of Attempt to renew con'eoted . . Arising from Questions . . . . Answers. . .. ' .. Anticipating discussion on EiUs " . . future procedure on Bills Argumentative . . . . , . . . ■ Business : Relating to arrangement of Explanations in asking ■ ■ . . Hypothetical , . . . . . . . ■ Ruled irregular On ca&ea sub j'ltdice .. ., ''.. Debate : Referring to past . . Debatable Imputations : Containing . , , , Reflections on public official . . Information : Conveying iinder cover of The Judges : Reflecting on . . . . Language : Irregular Members : Questions to Ministerial objection to Opinion : Asking • . , . , • ■ . . Quotations in putting . , . . PAGE. 102 102 103 103 104 104 104 104 104 105 105 106 106 106 107 107 108 109 110 110 HI 111 112 112 112 113 113 113 114 114 114 114 116 116 116 116 117 117 117 117 118 118 118 118 119 119 119 120 INDEX. 153 (QUESTIONS : i'AQe. Beading letters 120 Renewal and repetition 120 Remarks interposed . . . . . . . . . . ■ ■ • • • ■ l^l Replies : Discretion as to . . . . . . . . . . . • • • • • 121 to several Questions : Simultaneous 122 Question as to .. .. .. •• .• •• •• •• 122 Latitudeof 122 Limitation of . . . . . . . . • • • . • • • • 1 22 Further: Irregular attempt at 122 By Memter asking Question . . . ■ . . . . . . • • 122 Attempt to argue . . . . . . . . • • • . • • • • 123 Statements in Questions : Responsibility of Members . . . . . . . . . . • • 123 Impugning Members .. .. .. .. .. •• ■• 124 Supplementary Questions . . . . . . . . . . • • • • 12* Trivial Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . • • • • 124 EEPOETERS' GALLERY: Lady reporters 124 BESOLUTIONS OF THE HOUSE: Infraction of 125 EETUENS: Unopposed: Motion for 125 SAME QUESTION: Bill and Resolution 125 SELECT COMMITTEES: Motion for .. _ 125 Irregular tei-ms in : Correction , . . . . . . . . • 126 Nomination : Amendment fo . . . . • . . . • • • • 126 Namesof 127 Addition of Member : Notice 127 Debate on.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 127 Substitution of another Member . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Discbarge and substitution of Member . . . . . . . . . . 128 Attendance of Members .. .'. .. .. •• .. •■ 128 Chairman : "Withdrawal of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Debate on appointment . . ... . . . . . . . . ■ • 128 Exceeding order of reference . . .... . . . . . . . . 129 Anticipating subjects referred to . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Disclosure of proceedings in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Premature reference to . . . . . . . . . . • . . . 129 Publication by the Press of deliberations 129 Reference to report of . . . . . . . . ■ . . . . • ■ . 129 SITTING OF THE HOUSE: After midnight : Effect of .. .. 130 SPEAKER, THE: Absence of: State ceremonial .. .. .. .. .. .. 130 Action of: Reference to .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 130 Appeal to : From Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Challenging conduct of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 ruling of . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 132 Letters reflecting on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . 132 Memorial to, from outside bodies , . . . . . . . ■ • • . 133 Questions to: Anticipatory 133 154 INDEX. SUPPLY: The new Eule 134 Committee of : Motions on going into 134 Committee Motion : Amendment to: Mover.. 134 Amendment : Limitation , . 134 Kegatived .... 135 Negatived and Amendment negatived 135 Amendment carried and Amendment to main Question as amended . 135 13& Arrangement of votes . . 136 Notices : Standing Order 21 . . 136 Count out 137 Resumption of Committee 137 Setting up : When superseded by Amendment 13S a second time (Fridays) . . 13» When Committee Motion negatived 13» Report : 138 Consideration of : Preliminary procedure 138 U& Reduction of vote 139 IrreguUr Amendment . . 139 Suspension of precedence 139 Vote on account for future year 140 Debate : Latitude 140 Committee Motion : Debate . . 140 Debate on Amendment : Adjourned 141 141 Withdrawal : Attempt to speak on Amendment to original Motion 141 Supplementary Estimates : Committee Motion : Debate 141 141 Report : Debate 142 VOTE OF THANKS 14S WRIT 143 APPENDIX. STANDING ORDERS of the HODSE OF COMMONS EELATIVE TO PUBLIC BUSINESS. Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed, August 7, 1899. TABLE OF CONTENTS. STANDING ORDERS RELATIVE TO PUBLIC BUSINESS. SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE: page. 1. Eiile regulating the usual Sittings of the House 161 "WEDNESDAY SITTINGS: 2. House to meet at Twelve o'clock 162 3. House to adjourn at Six o'clock 162 MORNING SITTINGS: 4. Order of Business at Two o'clock . . . . . . . . . . 162 6. Suspension of Sitting at Seven o'clock , . . , . . . . , . 163 6. Sitting resumed at Nine o'clock . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 7. When Chairman reports Progress at Niue o'clock 163 8.- Sittings at Nine o'clock 163 ADDRESS IN ANSWER TO THE QUEEN'S SPEECH: 9. Committee Stage on Address discontinued . . . . . . . . 163 ORDERS OE.THE DAY: 10. Orders of the Day on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 163 11. Orders of the Day on Friday when Supply is first Order .. .. 164 12. Order. of Bills, other than Government Bills, after Whitsuntide . . 164 13. Orders of the Day to be read without Question put . , . . , , 164 14. Order in which Orders of the Day shall be disposed of . . .. .. 164 GOVERNMENT BUSINESS, POWER OF ARRANGEMENT: 15. Priority extended to Notices of Motion 164 MOTIONS FOR BILLS AND NOMINATION OF COMMITTEES: 16. Motions for BiUs &c., at the commencement of Public Business , . 165 ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE: 17. Motions made for Adjournment after Questions . . ., .. ., 165 18. Adjoumnlent from Friday to Monday when Committees of Supply, ete., are open , , . . , . , , , , , , . . . , 165 NOTICES OF MOTIONS: 19. Notice not to exceed four Notice Days . . . . . . . . . . 165 QUESTIONS TO MEMBERS: 20. Notice to be given in writing , . . . . . . . . . . . 166 158 TABLE OF CONTENTS. DEBATE, OEDEE IN: ^Ao^- 21. Order in Debate : Suspension of Members 166 22. Debate on Motions for Adjoumment 167 23. Motions for Adjournment in abuse of the Eules of the House , . . . 167 24. Irrelevance or Repetition .. 167 CLOSUEE OF DEBATE: 25. Closure of Debate 167 26. Majority for Closure of Debate 168 OEDEE IN THE HOUSE: 27. Disorderly Conduct 168 DIVISIONS : 28. Two-Minute Glass to be turned 169 29. Doors to be closed after lapse of Two Minutes 169 30. Divisions frivolously claimed 169 PUBLIC BILLS: 31. First Eeading of Bills 169 32. Committees on Bills, &c. (Progress) 170 33. Bills referred together to a Committee of the Whole House . . . . 170 34. Amendments in Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 35. Postponement of Preamble .. .. .. .. .. .. 170 36. Question not put on First or Second Eeadiag of Bills in Committee . . 170 37. Question not put on Blanks 170 38. Clauses dealt with in Committee and on Report . . , . . . 171 39. Bills reported 171 40. Consideration of a BUI, as Amended . . . . . . . . . . 171 41. Amendments on Eeport .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 171 42. Amendments on Third Eeading 171 43. Lords' Amendments . . . . . , . . . . . . . . 171 44. Pecuniary Penalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 45. Temporary Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 STANDING COMMITTEES ON CEETAIN BILLS: 46. Eevival of Standing Committees on Bills . . . . . . . . 172 47. Appointment of Standing Committees on Law and Courts of Justice, Trade, Agriculture, &c. . . . . . . , . . . . . 172 48. Nomination of Standing Committees by Committee of Selection .. 173 49. Appointment of Chairmen of Standing Committees .. .. .. 173 50. Eeport of Bills referred to Standing Committees .. .. ,. 173 COMMITTEES OF THE WHOLE HOUSE: 51. When the House resolves itseU into Committee forthwith .. .. 173 52. Chairman when ordered to report leaves the Chair without Question put 174 53. Eeports from Committees . . . . . . . . . , , , . , 174 SUPPLY AND WAYS AND MEANS: 54. Appointment of Committee of Supply and Ways and Means .. .. 174 65. Supply on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday . , . . . . . . 174 56. When Mr. Speaker leaves the Chair for Committee of Supply without Question put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 159 PUBLIC MONEY: page. 57. Eecommendation from the Crown (Applications for Public Money) . . 175 58. Petition, &c. (Grant of Money, Debts to the Crown) . . . . 175 59. Petition, &c. (Revenue Debts) 175 60. Address to Crown for Public Money .. .. .. .. .. 175 61. Charge on Revenues of India .. .. .. .. .. .. 175 62. Charge on the Public Revenue .. .. .. .. .. 175 PACKET AND TELEGRAPHIC CONTRACTS: 63. Contracts to be approved by Resolution . . .. .. .. .. 176 64. Contracts to be laid on Table of the House . . . . . . . . 176 65. Contracts to be Confirmed by PubHc Act . . . . . . 176 SELECT COMMITTEES: 66. Sitting of Committees .. .. .. ., .. ,, ,, 176 67. Number on Select Committees .. .. ., .. .. ., 176 68. Consent from Members to attend . . .. ., ,. .. ,. 177 69. Notice of Names of Members 177 70. List of Members serving . . . . . . . , . . . . . . 177 71. Entry of Questions asked by "Witnesses in Minutes 177 72. Entry of Names of Members in Minutes . . ,. .. .. .. 177 73. Entry of Divisions 177 74. Presence of Quorum . . , . . . . . , . . . . . 177 75. Report of Opinion and Observations . . . . . . , , . , 178 76. Notice to Committees of House at Prayers .. .. .. .. 178 PUBLIC ACCOUNTS: 77. Standing Committee on Public Accounts . , . , . . , . 178 PUBLIC PETITIONS: 78. Presentation of Petitions to the House . . . . . . , , . . 178 79. No Debate on presentation of Petitions . . . . . . . . . . 178 80. Petitions regarding present personal grievance . . . . . . . . 179 81. Reference of Petitions to Committee on Public Petitions . . . . 179 82. Petitions against imposition of a Tax . , . . . . . . . . 179 SPEAKER: 83. Office of Speaker 179 MEMBERS : 84. Seats in the House not be taken before Prayers . . .. ., ,, 180 85. Seats in the House secured at Prayers . . . , , . . . , . 180 86. Time when Members may take the Oath, &o. . . . . . . . . 180 87. Affirmation made by Members in Ueu of Oath . . . . . . . . 180 "WITNESSES BEFORE THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEES: 88. Oath or Affijrmation administered in the House, &o. . . , . . . 180 89. Oath or Affirmation administered in Select Committees 181 STRANGERS : 90. Strangers in parts of the House appropriated to Members .. .. 181 91. Members not to bring Strangers into the House.. .. .. ,. 181 92. "Withdrawal of Strangers during Divisions . . . . . . . . 181 93. "Withdrawal of Strangers from the House 181 160 TABLE OF CONTENTS. LETTERS: 94. Custody of Letters addressed to Members 95. Directions to Officer in charge of Letters 96. Orders to be sent to Postmaster- General . . 97. Letters, &e., addressed to Mr. Speaker . . 98. Parliamentary Papers INDEX PAGE. 182 182 182 182 182 184 standing Orders relative to Public Business. 1899. Resolved — SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE. 1. Rule Regulating the usual Sittings of the House. 1. — [February 24, 1888.] That, unless the House otherwise order, the House shall meet every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, at three of the clock, and shall, unless previously adjourned, sit till one of the clock a.m., when the Speaker shall adjourn the House without Question put, unless a Bill originating in Committee of Ways and Means, or unless Proceedings made in pursuance of any Act of Parlia- ment or Standing Order, or otherwise exempted as hereinafter provided from the operation of this Standing Order, be then under consideration. I'hat at midnight on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, except as aforesaid, and at half-past five of the clock on Wednesdays, the proceedings on any Bu-siness then under consideration shall be in- terrupted ; and, if the House be in Committee, the Chairman shall leave the Chair and make his report to the House ; and if a Motion has been proposed for the Adjournment of the House, or of the Debate, or in Committee that the Chairman do report Progress, or do leave the Chair, every such dilatory Motion shall lapse without Question put ; and the business then under consideration, and any Business subsequently ap- pointed shall be appointed for the next day on which the House shall sit, unless the Speaker ascertains by the preponderance of voices that a majority of the House desires that such Business should be deferred until a later day. Provided always that on the interruption of Business the Closure may be moved ; and if moved, or if proceedings under the Closure Rule be then in progress, the Speaker or Chairman shall not leave the Chair until the Questions consequent thereon and on any further Motion, as provided in the Rule " Closure of Debate," have been decided. That after the Business under consideration at twelve and haU-past five respectively has been disposed of, no oppo5.ed Business shall be taken; and the Orders of the Day not disposed of at the close of the sitting shall stand for the next day on which the House shall sit. That a Motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown at the com- mencement of Public Business, to be decided without Amendment or 162 STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OF COMMONS. Debate, to the following efiect : — " That the proceedings on an)' specified Business, if under discusssion at twelve this night, be not interrupted under the Standing Order ' Sittings of the House.' " Provided always that after any Business exempted from the operation of this Resolution is disposed of, the remaining Business of the sitting shall be dealt with according to the provisions applicable to Business taken after twelve o'clock. Provided also that the Chairman of Ways and Means do take the Chair as Deputy Speaker when requested so to do by Mr. Speaker, without any formal communication to the House. And that Mr. Speaker do nominate, at the commencement of every Session, a panel of not more than five members to act as temporary Chairmen of Committees when requested by the Chairman of Ways and Mean?. See alto Standing Order "Closure of Debate," No. 25. WEDNESDAY SITTINGS. 2. House to meet on Wednesday at twelve o'clock. 2. — [August 6, 1853.] That the House do meet every Wednesday, at twelve o'clock at noon, for Private Business, Petitions, Orders of the Day, and Notices of Motion, and do continue to sit until six o'clock, unless previously adjourned. 3. House to adjourn on Wednesday at six o'clock. 3. — That when such Business has been disposed of, or at six o'clock precisely, notwithstanding there may be Business under discussion, Mr. Speaker do adjourn the House without putting any Question. Proceedings consequent on interruption of business at half -past five o'clock on Wed- days. See Standing Order " Sittings of the House," No. 1 . MORNING SITTINGS. 4. Order of Business at two o'clock. 4.— [March 7, 1888.] That, unless the House shall otherwise order, whenever the House shall meet at two o'clock, the House will proceed with Private Business, Petitions, Motions for unopposed Returns, and leave of absence to Members, giving Notices of Motions, Questions to Ministers, and such Orders of the Day as shall have been appointed for the Morning Sitting. STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OF COMMONS. 163 5. Suspension of Sitting at seven o'clock. S.^That on such days, if the Business be not sooner disposed of, the House will suspend its sitting at seven o'clock ; and at ten minutes liefore seven o'clock, unless the House shall otherwise order, Mr. Speaker shall adjourn the Debate on any Business then under discussion, or the Cihairman shall report Progress, as the case may be ; and no opposed Business shall then be proceeded with. 6. Sitting resumed at nine o'clock. 6. — That when such Business has not been disposed of at seven o'clock, unless the House shall otherwise order, Mr. Speaker (or the Chairman, in case the House shall be in Committee) do leave the Chair, and the House will resume its sitting at nine o'clock, when the Orders of the Day not disposed of at the Morning Sitting, and any Motion which was Tinder discussion at ten minutes to seven o'clock, shall be set down in the Order Book after the other Orders of the Day. 7. When Chairman reports Progress at nine o'clock. 7. — That whenever the House shall be in Committee at seven o'clock, the Chairman do report Progress when the House resumes its sitting. 8. Sittings at nine o'clock. 8. — [March 3, 1892.] That the sittings of the House at nine o'clock be held subject to the provisions of Standing Order No. 1 which relate to the Interruption of Business and the Adjournment of the House. ADDRESS IN ANSWER TO THE QUEEN'S SPEECH. 9. Committee Stage of Address discontinued. 9. — [February 29, 1888.] That the stages of Committee and Report on the Address to Her Majesty to convey the thanks of the House for Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, at the opening of the Session, be discontinued. See also Standing Order " Appointment of Committees of Supply, &c.," No. 54. ORDERS OF THE DAY. 10. Orders of the Day on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. 10.— [May 3, 1861, and March 7. 1888.] That, unless the House shall otherwise direct, all Orders of the Day set down in the Order Book for 164 STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OF COMMONS. Mondays, "Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays shall be disposed of before the House will proceed upon any Motions of which Notices shall hare been given, the righl being reserved to Her Majesty's Ministers of placing Government Business, whether Orders or Motions, at the head of the lisl on every Order Day, except Wednesday. 11. Orders of the Day on Friday when Supply is first Order. 11. — That, while the Committees of Supply and Ways and Means are open, the first Order of the Day on Friday shall be either Supply or Ways and Means, and that, on that Order being read, the Question shall be proposed, " That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair.'' 12. Order of Bills, other than Government Bills, after Whitsuntide. 12. — [February 29, 1888.] That, after Whitsuntide, Public Bills, other than Government Bills, be arranged on the Order Book so as to give priority to the Bills most advanced, and that Lords' Amendments to Public Bills appointed to be considered be placed first, to be followed by Third Readings, Considerations of Report, Bills in Progress in Com- mittee, Bills appointed for Committee, and Second Readings. 13. Orders of the Day to he read without Question put. 13.-— [August 6, 1863.] That at the time fixed for the commencement of Public Business, on days on which Orders have precedence of Notices of Motions, and after the Notices of Motions have been disposed of on all other days, Mr. Speaker do direct the Clerk at the Table to read the Orders of the Day, without any Question being put. 14. Order in which Orders of the Day shall he disposed of. 14. — [August 5, 1853, and March 7, 1888.] That the Orders of the- Day be disposed of in the order in which they stand upon the Paper ; the right being reserved to Her Majesty's Ministers of placing Government Orders or Motions at the head of the list, in the rotation in which they are to be taken on the days on which Government Bills have precedence. See also Standing Orders " Priority extended to Notices of Motions," No. 15 ; "Motions for Bills and Nominations of Select Committees," No, 16; Supply on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, No. 55. GOVERNMENT BUSINESS: POWER OF ARRANGEMENT. 15. Priority extended to Notices of Motion. 15. — [February 28, 1888] That on days on which Government Business has priority, the Government may arrange such Government Business, whether Orders of the Day or Notices of Motions, in such order as they may think fit. STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OF COMMONS. 165 MOTIONS FOE BILLS AND NOMINATION OP COM- MITTEES. 16. Motions for Bills, Sfc, at the commencement of Public Business. 16. — [March 7, 1888.] That on Tuesdays and Fridays, and, if set down Tay the Government, on Mondays and Thursdays, Motions for leave to' "bring in BUls, and for the Nomination of Select Committees, may be set ■down for consideration at the commencement of Public Business. If :such Motions be opposed, Mr. Speaker, after permitting, if he thinks fit, a brief explanatory statement from the Member who moves and from the Member who opposes any such Motion respectively, may, without further Debate, put the Question thereon, or the Question, That the Debate be snow adjourned. ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. 17. Motions for Adjournment after Questions on a matter of urgent public importance. 17. — [November 27, 1882.] That no Motion for the Adjournment of -the House shall be made until all the Questions on the Notice Paper have been disposed of, and no such Motion shall be made before the Orders of the Day or Notices of Motion have been entered upon, except by leave of the House, unless a Member rising in his place shall propose to move the Adjournment for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, and not less than forty Members shall there- upon rise in their places to support the Motion ; or unless, if fewer than forty Members and not less than ten shall thereupon rise in their places, the House shall, on a Division upon Question put forthwith, determine whether such Motion shall be made. 18. .Adjournment of House on Friday when Committees of Supply, Sfc, are open. IS.— [May 3, 1861.J That, while the Committee of Supply and Wajs :and Means are open, the House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday, without any Ques- tion being put, unless the House shall otherwise resolve. See also Standing Orders " Debate on Motions for Adjournment," No. 22 ; " Motions for Adjournment in abuse of the Rules of the House," No. 23. NOTICES OF MOTIONS. 19. Notice not to exceed four Notice Days. 19. — [August 5, 18.'i3.] That no Notice shall be given beyond the period which shall include the four days next following on which Notices 166 STANDING ORDERS : HOUSE OF COMMONS. are entitled to precedence ; due allowance being made for any intervening- adjournment of the House, and the period being in that case so far extended as to include four Notice Days falling during the sitting of the House. QUESTIONS TO MEMBERS. 20. Notice to be given in writing. 20. — [HEarch 7, 1888.] That Notices of Questions be given by Members in writing to the Clerk at the Table, without reading them vivd voce in the House, unless the consent of the Speaker to any par- ticular Question has been previously obtained. ORDER IN DEBATE. 21. Order in Debate; Suspension of Members. 21.— [February 28, 1880, and November 22, 1«82.] That, whenever any Member shall have been named by the Speaker or by the Chairman of a Committee of the whole House, immediately after the commission of the offence of disregarding the authority of the Chair, or of abusing the Rules of the House by persistently and wilfully obstructing the Business, of the House, or otherwise, then, if the offence has been committed by such Member in the House, the Speaker shall forthwith put the Question,, on a Motion being made, no Amendment, Adjournment, or Debate being allowed, " That such Member be suspended from the service of the House " ; and, if the offence has been committed in a Committee of the whole House, the Chairman shall, on a Motion being made, put the same Question in a similar way, and, if the Motion is carried, shall forthwith suspend the proceedings of the Committee and report the circumstance to the House ; and the Speaker shall thereupon put the same Question,, without Amendment, Adjournment, or Debate, as if the offence had been: committed in the House itself. If any Member be suspended under this Order, his suspension on the first occasion shall continue for one week, on the second occasion for a fortnight, and on the third, or any subsequent occasion, for a month. Provided always that suspension from the service of the House shall not exempt the Member so suspended from serving on any Committee for the consideration of a Private Bill to which he may have been appointed before his suspension. Provided also that not more than one Member shall be named at the same time, unless several Members, present together, have jointly dis- regarded the authority of the Chair. STANDING 0EDER8: HOUSE OF COMMONS. 167 Provided always that nothing in this Resolution shall be taken to deprive the House of the power of proceeding against any Member according to ancient usages. See provision regarding withdrawal of Members from precincts of House under Standing Order " Disorderly Conduct," No. 27. 22. Debate on Motions for Adjournment. 22.— [November 27, 1882.] That when a Motion is made for the Adjournment of a Debate, or of the House during any Debate, or that the Chairman of a Committee do report Progress, or do leave the Chair, the Debate thereupon shall be confined to the matter of such Motion ; and no Member, having moved or seconded any such Motion, shaU be entitled to move, or second, any similar Motion during the same Debate. 23. Motions for Adjournment in Abuse of the Rules of the House. 23.— [November 27, 1882, and February 28, 1888.] That, if Mr. Speaker, or the Chairman of a Committee of the whole House, shall be of opinion that a Motion for the Adjournment of a Debate, or of the House, during any Debate, or that the Chairman do report Progress, or do leave the Chair is an abuse of the Rules of the House, he may forthwith put the Question thereupon from the Chair or he may decline to propose the Question thereupon to the House. N.B. — The above Motions lapse on Interruption of Business under Standing Order " Sittings of the House," No. 1. 24. Irrelevance or Repetition. 24.— [November 27, 1882, and February 28, 1888.] That Mr. Speaker or the Chairman, after having called the attention of the House or of the Committee to the conduct of a Member, who persists in irrelevance or tedious repetition either of his own arguments or of the arguments used by other Members in Debate, may direct him to discontinue his speech. See also the following Standing Orders relating to Closure of Debate and Order in the House, Nos. 25-27. ORDERS RELATING TO CLOSURE OF DEBATE. 25. Closure of Debate. 25. — [March 18, 1887, and March 7, 1888.] That after a Question has been proposed a Member rising in his place may claim to move " That the Question be now put," and, unless it shall appear to the Chair that such Motion is an abuse of the Rules of the House, or an infringement of the rights of the minority, the Question — " That the Question be now put," shall be put forthwith and decided without Amendment or Debate : 168 STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OF COMMONS. When the Motion " That the Question be now put " has been carried, and the Question consequent thereon has been decided, any further Motion may be made (the assent of the Chair, as aforesaid, not having been withheld) which may be requisite to bring to a decision any Question already proposed from the Chair ; and also if a clause be then under consideration, a Motion may be made (the assent of the Chair, as aforesaid, not having been withheld), That the Question, That certain words of the clause defined in the Motion stand part of the clause, or That the clause stand part of, or be added to the Bill, be now put. Such Motions shall be put forthwith, and decided without Amendment or Debate : Provided always that this Rule shall be put in force only when the Speaker or the Chairman of Ways and Means is in the Chair. 26. Majority for Closure of Debate. 26. — [February 28, 1888.] That Questions for the Closure of Debate under Standing Order No. 25 shall be decided in the affirmative, if, when a Division be taken, it appears by the numbers declared from the Chair that not less than one hundred Members voted in the majority in sup- port of the Motion. See also " Divisions frivolously claimed," No. 3il ; Closure provisions in Standing Orders " Sittings of the House," No. 1, and "Motion for Adjournment in abuse of the Rules of the House," No. 23. ORDER IN THE HOUSE. 27. Disorderly Conduct. 27.— [February 28, 1888.] That Mr. Speaker or the Chairman do order Members, whose conduct is grossly disorderly, to withdraw immediately from the House during the remainder of that day's sitting ; and that the Serjeant-at-Arms do act on such orders as he may receive from the Chair, in pursuance of this Resolution. But if, on any occasion, Mr. Speaker or the Chairman deems that his powers under this Standing Order are inadequate, he may name such Member or Members in pursuance of the Standing Order "Order in Debate," or he may call upon the House to adjudge upon the conduct of such Member or Members. Provided always that Members who are ordered to withdraw under this Standing Order, or who are suspended from the service of the House under the Standing Order " Order in Debate," shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House, subject, however, in the case of such suspended Members, to the proviso in that Standing Order regarding their service on Private Bill Committees. See also Standing Order " Order in Debate : Suspension of Members," No. 21. STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OF COMMONS. 169 DIVISIONS. 28. Two-minute Glass to be Turned. 28. — [July 19, 1854. J That so soon as the voices have heen taken, the ■Clerk shall turn a two-minute sand-glass, to be kept on the Table for that purpose, and the doors shall not be closed until after the lapse of two minutes, as indicated by such sand-glass. 29. Doors to he Closed after Lapse of Two Minutes. 29. — That the doors shall be closed so soon after the lapse of two •minutes as the Speaker or the Chairman of the Committee of the whole House shall think proper to direct. 30. Divisions frivolously Claimed. 30. — [February 29, 1888.] That Mr. Speaker or the Chairman -may, after the lapse of two minutes, as indicated by the sand-glass, if in his opinion the Division is frivolously or vexatiously claimed, take the vote •of the House or Committee by calling upon the Members who support, and who challenge his decision, succe.ssively to rise in their places; and Tie shall thereupon, as he thinks fit. either declare the determination of the House or Committee, or name Tellers for a Division. And, in case there is no Division, the Speaker or Chairman shall declare to the House or the Committee the number of the minority who had challenged his decision, and their names shall be thereupon taken down in the House and printed with the list of Divisions. See also Standing Order "Withdrawal of Strangers during Divisions," No. 92. PUBLIC BILLS. Introduction of Bills. See Standing Order, " Motions for Bills, &c., At the Commencement of Public Business," No. 16. 31. Urst Reading of Bills. 31. — [August 5, 1853.] That when any Bill shall be presented by a TVIember, in pursuance of an Order of this House, or shall be brought from the Lords, the Questions " That this Bill be now read a first time," :and "That this Bill be printed," shall be decided without Amendment or Debate. Committees on Bills. See Standing Order " When House resolves itself into Com- mittee forthwith," No. 51. 170 STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OF COMMONS. 32. Committees on Bills, Sfc. ( Progress). 32. — [August 5, 1853.] That when a Bill or other matter (except Supply or Ways and Means) has been partly considered in Committee, and the Chairman has been directed to report Progress, and ask leave \o sit again, and the House shall have ordered that the Committee shall sit again on a particular day, the Speaker shall, virhen the Order for the- Committee has been read, forthwith leave the Chair without putting any Question, and the House shall thereupon resolve itself into such Com- mittee. 33. Bills referred together to a Committee of the W-hole House. 33.— [July 19, 1854, and July 21, 1886.] That Bills which may be fixed for consideration in Committee on the same day, whether in Progress or otherwise, may be referred together to a Committee of the whole House, which may consider on the same day all the Bills so referred to it, with- out the Chairman leaving the Chair on each separate Bill ; provided that, with'respect to any Bill not in Progress, if any Member shall object to its consideration in Committee, together with other Bills, the Order of the Day for the Committee on such Bill shall be postponed. 34. Amendments in Committee. 34. — [July 19,1854.] That it be an Instruction to all Committees of the- whole House to which Bills may be committed that they have power to make such Amendments therein as they shall think fit, provided they be relevant to the subject matter of the Bill ; but that if any such Amend- ments shall not be within the Title of the Bill they do amend the Title accordingly, and do report the same specially to the House. 35. Postponement of Preamble. 35. — [November 27, 1882.] That in Committee on a Bill the Preamble do stand postponed until after the consideration of the clauses, without Question put. 36. Question not put on First and Second Reading of Bills in Committee.- 36. — [July 19, 1854.] That the Questions for reading a Bill a first and second time in a Committee of the whole House be discontinued. 37. Question not put on Blanks. 37. — [July 19, 1864.] That in going through a Bill no Questions shall be put for the filling up words already printed in italics, and commonly called blanks, unless exception be taken thereto ; and if no alterations have been made in the words so printed in italics, the Bill shall be reported without Amendments, unless other Amendments have been made thereto. STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OF COMMONS. 171 38.- Clauses dealt with in Committee and on Report. 38. — [July 19, 1854. J That on a clause being offered in the Committee on the Bill, or on the consideration of Report of a Bill, Mr. Speaker or the Chairman do desire the Member to bring up the same, whereupon it shall be read a first time without Question put, but no clause shall be offered on consideration of Report without notice. Report from Committees. See Standing Orders " Chairman, when ordered to Re- port, leaves the Chair without Question put" ; "Reports from Comroitteee," Nos. 52, 53. 39. £dls Reported. 39. — [August 5, 1853.] That at the close of the Proceedings of a Com- mittee of the whole House on a Bill, the Chairman shall report the Bill forthwith to the House, and when Amendments shall have been made thereto, the same shall be received, without Debate, and a time appointed for taking the same into consideration. 40. Consideration of n Bill as Amended. 40.— [November 27, 1882.] That, when the Order of the Day for the consideration of a Bill, as amended in the Committee of the whole House, has been read, the House do proceed to consider the same without Question put, unless the Member in charge thereof shall desire to post- pone its consideration, or a Motion shall be made to re-commit the Bill. See contra, Standing Order "Report of Bills referred to Standing Committees," No. 50. 41. Amendments on Report. 41. — [February 28, 1888.] That upon the Report stage of any Bill no Amendment may be proposed which could not have been proposed in. Committee without an Instruction from the House. See Standing Order Amendments in Committee, No. 34. 42. Amendments on Third Reading. 42. — [July 21, 1856.] That no Amendments, not being merely verbal, shall be made to any Bill on the Third Reading. 43. Lords' Amendments. 43. — [July 19, 1854.] That Lords' Amendments to Public Bills shall be appointed to be considered on a future day, unless the House shall order them to be considered forthwith. 44. Pecuniary/ Penalties. 44. — [July 24, 1849.] That with respect to any Bill brought to thiff House from the House of Lords or returned by the House of Lords to this House, with Amendments, whereby any pecuniary penalty, forfeiture, or fee shall be authorised, imposed, appropriated, regulated, varied, or 173 STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OF COMMONS. extinguished, this House will not insist on its ancient and undoubted privileges in the following cases : — 1. When the object of such pecuniary penalty or forfeiture is to secure the execution of the Act or the punishment or prevention of offences. 2. Where such fees are imposed in respect of benefit taken or service rendered under the Act, and in order to the execution of the Act and are not made payable into the Treasury or Exchequer, or in aid of the Public Revenue, and do not form the ground of public accounting by the parties receiving the same either in respect of deficit or surplus. 3. When such Bill shall be a Private Bill for a Local or Personal Act. 45. Temporary Laws. 45. — [July 24, 1849. J That the precise duration of every Temporary Law be expressed in a distinct clause at the end of the Bill. See also Standing Order " Order of Bills other than Government Bills after Whit- suntide," No. 12. STANDING COMMITTEES ON BILLS RELATING TO LAW AND COURTS OF JUSTICE, TRADE, &c. 46. Revival of Standing Committees. 46.— [March 7. 1888.] That the Resolutions of the House of the 1st December, 1882, relating to the Constitution and Proceedings of Stand- ing Committees for the consideration of Bills relating to Law and Courts of Justice and Legal Procedure, and to Trade, Shipping, and Manufac- tures, be revived, and that Trade shall include Agriculture and Fishing. 47. Standing Committees on Law and Courts of Justice, Trade, Sfc. 47. — That two Standing Committees be appointed for the consideration of all Bills relating to Law and Courts of Justice and Legal Procedure, and to Trade, Shipping, and Manufactures, which ma)', by Order of the House, in each case be committed to them ; and the procedure in such Committees shall be the same as in a Select Committee, unless the House shall otherwise order : Provided that strangers shall be admitted, except when the Committee shall order them to withdraw. Provided also that the said Committee shall be excluded from the operation of the Standing Order of July 21, 18.'i6 (Standing Order No. 66), and the said Com- mittee shall not sit whilst the House is sitting without the order of the House : Provided also that any Notice of Amendment to any clause in a Bill which may be committed to a Standing Committee given by any hon. Member in the House shall stand referred to such Committee: Provided also that Twenty be the Quorum of such Standing Committees. Note.— By Standing Order No. 46, Bills relating to "Agriculture and Fishing," sxe included in the reference to the Trade, &o.. Standing Committee. STAJi^DING OEDEES: HOUSE OF COMMONS. 173 48. Nomination of Standing Committees by Committee of Selection, 48. — That each of the said Standing Committees do consist of not less than sixty nor more than eighty Members, to be nominated by the Com- mittee of Selection, who shall have regard to the classes of Bills committed to such Committees, to the composition of the House, and to the qualifications of the Members selected ; and shall have power to dis- charge Members from time to time, and to appoint others in substitution for those discharged. The Committee of Selection shall also have power to add not more than fifteen Members to a Standing Committee in respect of any Bill referred to it, to serve on the Committee during the con- sideration of such Bill. 49. Appointment of Chairman of Standing Committee. 49. — That the Committee of Selection shall nominate a Chairmen's panel, to consist of not less than four nor more than six Members, of whom three shall be a quorum ; and the Chairmen's panel shall appoint from among themselves the Chairman of each Standing Committee, and may change the Chairman so appointed from time to time. 50. Report of Bills referred to Standing Committees. 50. — That all Bills which shall have been committed to one of the said Standing Committees shall, when reported to the House, be proceeded with as if they had been reported from a Committee of the whole House : Provided that the provisions of the Standing Order " Consideration of a BiU, as Amended" (Standing Order No. 40) shall not apply to a Bill reported to the House by a Standing Committee. See also Standing Orders relating to Public Bills in Committee, Noa. 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 ; and Standing Orders relating to Select Committees, Nob. 69, 70, 72, 73, 74, 76. COMMITTEES OF THE WHOLE HOUSE. 51. When the House resolves itself into Committee forthwith. 51.— [February 28, 1888, and February 17, 1891. J That whenever an Order of the Day is read for the House to resolve itself into Committee (not being a Committee to consider a Message from the Crown, or the Committee of Supply, or «f Ways and Means, or the Committee on the East India Eevenue Accounts), Mr. Speaker shall leave the Chair without putting any Question, and the House sball thereupon resolve itself into such Committee, unless Notice of an Instruction thereto has been given^ when such Instruction shall be first disposed of. See aho Standing Order " Committees on Bills, &c. (Progress)," No. 32. 174 STANDING ORDERS: flOCTSE OF COMMONS. 52. Chairman when ordered to Report leaves the Chair without (Question put. 52. — [November 27, 1882.] That when the Chairman of a Committee has been ordered to make a Report to the House, be shall leave the Chair without Question put. 53. Reports from Committees. 63.— [July 19, 1854.J That every Report from a Committee of the whole House be brought up without Question being put. See also Standing Orders relating to Applications for Public Money in Committees of the whole House, Nos. 58, 6U, 62 ; Oath administered in Committees of the whole House, No. 1)8 ; Bills in Committees of the whole House, Nos. 32-38. SUPPLY AND WAYS AND MEANS. 54. Appointment of Committees of Supply., Sfc. 54. — [July 28, 1870.] That this House will in future appoint the Committees of Supply and Ways and Means at the commencement of every Session so soon as an Address has been agreed to in answer to Her Majesty's Speech. 55. Supply on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 55. — [May 3, 1861.] That the Committees of Supply and Ways and Means shall be fixed for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and may also be appointed for any other day on which the House shaR meet for dispatch of Business. 56. When Mr. Speaker leaves the Chair for Committee of Supply without Question put. 56.— [November 27, 1882, and March 7, 1888.] That whenever the Committee of Supply stands as an Order of the Day on Monday or Thursday, Mr. Speaker shall leave the Chair without putting any Question, unless on first going into Supply on the Army, Navy, or Civil Service Estimates respectively, or on any Vote of Credit, an Amendment be moved or Question raised relating to the Estimates proposed to be taken in Supply. See also Standing Orders "Orders of the Day on Friday when Supply first Order," No. U ; " Adjournment from Friday to Monday when Committees of Supply, &o., are open," No. 18 ; " When the House resolves itself into Committee forthwith," No. 51. STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OE COMMONS. 175 PUBLIC MONEY. 57. Recommendation from the Crown [Applications for Public Money J. 57.— [June 11, 1713, June 25, 1832, and Marcli 20, 1866.] That this House will receive no Petition for any sum relating to Public Service or proceed upon any Motion for a grant or charge upon the Public Revenue, whether payable out of the Consolidated Fund or out of moneys to be provided by Parliament, unless recommended from the Crown. 58. Petition, Sfc. (Grant of Money, Debts to the Crown). 58. — [March 29, 1707.] That this House will not proceed upon any Petition, Motion, or Bill for granting any money, or for releasing or compounding any sum of money owing to the Crown, but in a Committee of the whole House. 59. Petition, Sec. [Revenue Debts). 59. — [March 25, 1715.] That this House will not receive any Petition for compounding any sum of money owing to the Cro^vn upon any branch of the Revenue witliout a certificate from the proper officer or officers annexed to the said Petition, stating the debt, what prosecutions have been made for the recovery of such debt, and setting forth how much the petitioner and his security are able to satisfy thereof. 60. Address to Crown for issue of Puhlic Money. 60. — [February 22, 1821.] That this House will not proceed upon an)* Motion for an Address to the Crown praying that any money may be issued, or that any expense may be incurred, but in a Committee of the whole House. 61. Charge on Revenues of India. 61. — [July 21, 1856.] That this House will not receive any Petition, or proceed upon any Motion for a charge upon the Revenues of India, but what is recommended by the Crown. 62. Charge on the Public Revenue. 62. — [March 20, 1866.] That if any Motion be made in the House for any aid, grant, or charge upon the Public Revenue, whether payable out of the Consolidated Fund or out of moneys to be provided by Parliament, or for any charge upon the people, the consideration and debate thereof shall not be presently entered upon, but shall be adjourned till such further day as the House shall think fit to appoint, and then it shall be referred to a Committee of the whole House before any Resolution or Vote of the House do pass therein. See Standing Orders relating to Committees of the whole House, Nos. 51-53. 176 STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OF COMMONS. PACKET AND TELEGRAPHIC CONTRACTS. 63. Contracts to he approved by Resolution. 63. — [July 13, 1869.] That in all Contracts extending over a period of years and creating a public charge, actual or prospective, entered into by the Government for the Conveyance of Mails by Sea, or tor the purpose of Telegraphic Communications beyond Sea, there should be inserted the condition that the Contract shall not be binding until it has been approved of by a Resolutioti of the House. 64. Contracts to be laid on Table of House. 64. — That every such Contract when executed shall forth vyith, if Parlia- ment be then sitting, or, if Pai-liament be not then sitting, within fourteen days after it assembles, be laid upon the Table of the House, accompanied by a Minute of the Lords of the Treasury, setting forth the grounds on which they have proceeded in authorising it. 65. Contracts to be confirmed by Public Act. 65. — That, in cases where any such Contract requires to be confirmed by Act of Parliament, the Bill for that purpose should not be introduced and dealt with as a Private Bill, and that power to the Government to enter into agreements by which obligations at the public charge shall be undertaken should not be given in any Private Act. See the provision regarding Proceedings under above Standing Orders in Standing; Order " Sittings of the House," No. 1. SELECT COMMITTEES. 66. Sitting of Committees. 66.— [July 21, 1856, and March 7, 1888.J That all Committees shall have leave to sit, except while the House is at Prayers, during the sitting and notwithstanding any Adjournment of the House. 'S«e provision regarding this Standing Order, in Standing Order "Standing Com- mittees on Law, &o.," No. 47. 67. Number on Select Committees. 67. — [June 25, 1852.] That no Select Committee shall, without leave of the House, consist of more than fifteen Members; that such leave shall not be moved for without Notice ; and that in the case of Members proposed to be added or substituted, after the first appointment of the Committee, the Notice shall include the Names of the Members proposed to be added or substituted. STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OF COMMONS. 177 68. Consent from Members to Attend. 68. — That every Member intending to move for the appointment of a Select Committee do endeavor to ascertain previously whether each Member proposed to be named by him on such Committee will give his attendance thereupon. 69. Notice of Names of Members. 69. — That every Member intending to move for the appointment of a Select Committee shall, one day next before the nomination of such Committee, place on the Notices the Names of the Members intended to be proposed by him to be Members of such Committee. For Motions for Nominatiou of Select Committees at the commencement of Public Business, see Standing Order No. 16. 70. Lists of Menibers serving. 70. — That lists be afiixed in some conspicuous place in the Committee Office and in the Lobby of the House of all Members serving on each Select Committee. 71. Entry of Questions ashed of Witnesses in Minutes. 71. — ^That to every Question asked of a Witness under examination in the Proceedings of any Select Committee there be prefixed in the Minutes of the Evidence the Name of the Member asking such Question. 72. Entry of Names of Members in Minutes. 72. — That the Names of the Members present each day on the sitting of any Select Committee be entered on the Minutes of Evidence, or on the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Committee (as the case may be), and reported to the House on the Report of such Committee. 73. Entry of Divisions. 73. — ^That in the e^ent of any Division taking place in any Select Committee, the Question proposed, the Name of the Proposer, and the respective Votes thereupon of each Member present, be entered on the Minutes of Evidence or on the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Committee (as the case may be), and reported to the House on the Keport of such Committee. 74. Presence of Quorum. 74. — That if, at any time during the sitting of a Select Committee of this House, the Quorum of Members fixed by the House shall not be present, the Clerk of the Committee shall call the attention of the Chair- man to the fact, who shall thereupon suspend the proceedings of the Committee until a Quorum be present, or adjourn the Committee to some future day. M 178 STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OF COMMONS. 75. Report of Opinion and Observations. 75.— [August 9, 1875.] That every Select Committee having power to send for persons, papers, and records, shall have leave to report their opinion and observations, together with the Minutes of Evidence taken before them, to the House, and also to make a Special Report of any matters which they may think fit to bring to the notice of the House. 76. Notice to Committees of House at Prayers. 76.— [June 25, 1852, and July 21, 1856.] That the Sergeant-at-Arms attending this House do, from time to time, when the House is going to Prayers, give notice thereof to all Committees ; and that all proceedings of Committees, after such notice, be declared to be null and void, unless such Committees be otherwise empowered to sit after Prayers. See also Standing Orders " Seats in the House not to be taken before Prayers,'' " Seats in the House secured at Prayers," Xos. 84, 85. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS. 77. Standing Committee on Public Accounts. 77.— [April 3, 1862, and March 28, 1870.] That there shall be a Stand- ing Committee, to be designated " The Committee of Public Accounts," for the examination of the Accounts showing the appropriation of the sums granted by Parliament to meet the public expenditure, to consist of eleven Members, who shall be nominated at the commencement of every Session, and of whom five shall be a Quorum. PUBLIC PETITIONS." 78. Presentation of Petitions to the House. 78. — [April 14, 1842, and August 5, 1853.] That every member offering to present a Petition to the House, not being a Petition for a Private Bill, or relating to a Private Bill before the House, do confine himself to a statement of the parties from whom it comes, of the number of signatures attached to it, and of the material allegations contained in it, and to the reading of the prayer of such Petition. 79. No Debate on Presentation of Petitions. 79. — That every such Petition not containing matter in breach of the privileges of this House, and which, according to the rules or usual STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OF COMMONS. 179 practice of this House, can be received, be brought to the Table by the direction of the Speaker, who shall not allow any Debate, or any Member to speak upon, or in relation to, such Petition ; but it may be read by the Clerk at the Table if required. 80. Petitions regarding present Personal Grievance. 80. — That, in the case of such Petition complaining of some present personal grievance, for which there may be an urgent necessity for pro- "viding an immediate remedy, the matter contained in such Petition may be brought into discussion on the presentation thereof. 81. Reference of Petitions to Committee on Public Petitions. 81. — That all other such Petitions, after they shall have been ordered to lie on the Table, be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions, without any Question being put ; but if any such Petition relate to any matter or subject with respect to which the Member presenting it has given Notice of a Motion, and the said Petition has not been ordered to be printed by the Committee, such Member may, after notice given, move that such. Petition be printed with the votes. 82. Petitions against Imposition of a Tax. 82. — That, subject to the above regulations, Petitions against any Resolution or Bill imposing a Tax or Duty for the current service of the year be henceforth received, and the usage under which the House has refused to entertain such Petitions be discontinued. See also Public Moneys, Nos. 57, 58, 59, 61. SPEAKER. 83. Office of Speaker. 83. — [July 20, 1855. J That whenever the House shall be informed by the Clerk at the Table of the unavoidable absence of Mr. Speaker, the Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means do perform the duties and exercise the authority of Speaker in relation to all proceedings of this House, as Deputy Speaker, until the next meeting of the House, and so on from day to day on the like information being given to the House untn the House shall otherwise order ; provided that if the House shall adjourn for more than twenty-four hours the Deputy Speaker shall continue to perform the duties and exercise the authority of* Speaker for twenty-four hours only after such adjournment. See also Power given to Mr. Speaker to request the Chairman of Ways and Means to take the Chair in Standing Order " Sittings of the House," No. 1. 180 STANDING OEDEES : HOUSE OF COMMONS. MEMBERS. 84. Seats in the House not to be taken before Prayers. 84. — [April 6, 1835.] That no Member's name be affixed to any seat ini the House before the hour of Prayers, and that the Speaker do give directions to the doorkeepers accordingly. 85. Seats in the House secured at Prayers. 85.— [April 29, 1858.] That any Member having secured a seat at Prayers, shall be entitled to retain the same until the rising of the House.^ 86. Time when Members may take Oath, Sfc. 86. — [April 30, 1866.] That Members may take and subscribe the Oatk required by law, at any time during the Sitting of the House before the- Orders of the Day and Notices of Motions have been entered upon or after they have been disposed of ; but no Debate or Business shall be interrupted for that purpose. 87. Affirmation made by Members in lieu of Oath. 87. — [July 1, 1880.] That every person returned as a Member of this- House who may claim to be a person for the time being by law permitted to make a solemn Affirmation or Declaration instead of taking an Oath, shall henceforth (notwithstanding so much of the Resolution adopted by this House on the 22nd day of June last as relates to Affirmation) be permitted, without Question, to make and subscribe a solemn Affirma- tion in the form prescribed by " The Parliamentary Oaths Act. 1866," as altered by " The Promissory Oaths Act, 1868," subject to any liability by Statute. See also Standing Orders regarding Disorderly Conduct, No. 27 ; Call on Members to rise in their places on Motions for Adjournment tefore Public Business, No. 17 ; to give their Votes, No. 28 ; Suspension of Members, No. 21 ; Members directed to dis- continue their Speeches, No. 24 ; Seats of in the House, Nos. 84, 86 ; -when the Oatli may be taken by, No. 87 ; Nomination on Standing Committees, No. 48 ; Nomination, etc., on Select Committees, Nos. 68-70 ; not to bring Strangers into the House, No. 91 ;. Letters to, Nos. 94-6. WITNESSES BEFORE THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEES- 88. Oath, Sfc, to Witnesses Administered in the House, Ifc. 88.— [February 20, 1872.] That any Oath or Affirmation taken or made by any Witness before the House, or a Committee of the whole House, be administered by the Clerk at the Table. STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OF COMMONS. 181 89. Oath, S^c, to Witnesses Administered in Select Committees. 89. — ^That any Oath or AflBrmation taken or made by any Witness before a Select Committee may be administered by the Chairman, or by the Clerk attending such Committee. STRANGERS. 90. Strangers tn parts of the House appropriated to Members. 90. — [February 5, 1845.] That the Sergeant-at-Arms attending this House do, from time to time, take into his custody any stranger whom he may see, or who may be reported to him to be. in any part of the House or Gallery appropriated to the Members of this House, and also any stranger who, having been admitted into any other part of the House or Gallery, shall misconduct himself, or shall not withdraw when strangers are directed to withdraw, while the House, or any Committee of the whole House, is sitting ; and that no person so taken into custody Tie discharged out of custody without the special order of the House. 91. Members not to bring Strangers into the House. 9 1 . — That no Member of this House do presume to bring any stranger into any part of the House or Gallery appropriated to the Members of this House while the House, or a Committee of the whole House, is sitting. 92. Withdraival of Strangers during Divisions. 92. —[July 19, 1854. J That, except when Mr. Speaker or the Chairman ■of a Committee of the whole House shall otherwise direct, his order for the withdrawal of strangers during a Division shall be understood to apply to strangers occupying seats below the Bar and in the front gallery, and shall be enforced by the Sergeant-at-Arms accordingly. 93. Withdrawal of Strangers from the House. 93. — [March 7, 1888.J That if at any sitting of the House or in Com- anittee, any Member shall take notice that strangers are present, Mr. Speaker, or the Chairman (as the case may be), shall forthwith put the ■Question, " That strangers be ordered to withdraw," without permitting any Debate or Amendment : Provided that the Speaker, or the Chair- man, may, whenever he thinks fit, order the withdrawal of strangers from any part of the House. 182 STANDING OKDEES: HOUSE OF COMMONS. LETTERS. 94. Custody of Letters addressed to Members. 94. — [June 2S, 1852.] That, to prevent the intercepting or losing o£ Letters directed to Members of this House, the person appointed to bring Letters from the General Post Office to this House, or some other person to be appointed by the Postmaster-General, do for the future, every day during the Session of Parliament, Sundays excepted, constantly attend, from ten of the clock in the morning till seven in the afternoon, at the place appointed for the delivery of the said Letters, and take care during^ his stay there to deliver the same to the several Members to whom they shall be directed, or to their known servant or servants or other person bringing notes under the hands of the Members sending for the same. 95. Directions to Officer in Charge of Letters. 95. — That the said officer do, upon his going away, lock up such Letters- as shall remain undelivered ; and that no Letter be delivered but within the hours aforesaid. 96. Orders to he sent to Postmaster-General. 96. — That the said Orders be sent to the Postmaster-General at the- commencement of each Session. 97. Letters, ^c, directed to this House. 97. — That when any Letter or Packet directed to this House shall come to Mr. Speaker he do open the same and acquaint the House at their next sitting with the contents thereof if proper to be communicated to- this House. 98. Parliamentary Papers. 98. — [August 14, 1896.] That if during the existence of a Parliament Papers are commanded to be presented to this House by Her Majesty at any time the delivery of such Papers to the Librarian of the House of Commons shall be deemed to be for all purposes the presentation of therai to this House. REGINALD F. D. PALGRAVE, CI. Ho. Com. Resolved— March 7, 1888.— That the Resolutions of this House of the 24th, 28th, and 29th days of February and of the 7th day of March, relative to the Business of the House (Rules of Procedure), with the exception of Resolution No. XIL, be Standing Orders of this House. — (Mr. William Henry Smith.) Resolved — March 7, 1888 — ^That the Standing Orders of this House relative to Public Business, as amended, be printed. — (Mr. William. Henry Smith.) STANDING ORDERS: HOUSE OF COMMONS. 183 By Resolutions of the House of the 29th February and 7th March, 1888, the following Standing Orders were Mepealed: — [The numerals refer to the Standing Orders relating to Puhlic Business of Session 1887.] No. XLV. — Bills respecting Religion. No. XL VI. — Bills respecting Trade. Nos. III., IV., v.— Wednesday Sittings. Nos. VI., VII., VIII.— Morning Sittings. No. XI. — Debates on Motions for Adjournment. No. XIII. — Irrelevance or Repetition. No. XIV.— Putting the Question. No. XXXIX.— Dropped Orders. No. XLL— The half-past Twelve o'clock Rule. No. XLIV— Divisions. By Resolution of the House of the 1th March, 1888, the following Stand- ing Orders were Amended: — Standing Order XIVa., Closure of Debate, No. 25, amended by leaving out the first proviso, lines 17 to 21 inclusive Standing Order XXI., Notices on going into Committee of Supply, No. 56, amended by leaving out, in line 1, the words "the first," and inserting the word " an." Standing Order XXII., Select Committees, No. 66, amended by leaving out, in lines 1 and 2. the words " on Wednesdays and other morning sittings of the House." Standing Order XXXVI., Orders of the Day and Notices of Motion, No. 10, amended by leaving out, in line 6, the word "Orders," and inserting the words " Business, whether Orders or Motions." Standing Order XXXVIII., Orders of the Day and Notices of Motion, No. 14, amended by inserting, in line 3, after the word "Orders," the words " or Motions." By Resolution of the House, February 17, 1891, Standing Order, When the House resolves itself into Committee forthwith. No. 51, was amended by inserting, after the words " Ways and Means," the words " or the Committee on the East India Revenue Accounts." — (Sir William Plowden.) By Resolution of the House, Standing Order, Sittings at Nine o'clock. No. 8, March 7, 1888, was repealed, and was replaced by Standing Order No. 8, March 3, 1892.— (Mr. Balfour.) By Resolution of the House, August 14, 1896, Standing Order, Parliamentary Papers, No. 98, was agreed to. — (Mr. Balfour.) R. F. D. P. INDEX RELATING TO PUBLIC BUSINESS. Note. — The Numerals refer to the Numbers attached to the Standing Orders relating to Public Business. Absence of Speaker : Deputy Speaker to take the Chair, No. 83 ; when without formal communication to House, No. 1. Accounts, Public : Standing Committee thereon. No. 77. Act of Parliament: Exemption of Proceedings under, in Standing Order " Sittings of the House," No. 1. Address in answer to the Queen's Speech : Committee stage discontinued. No. 9. Adjournment of Debate : When Motion for Adjournment lapses, No. 1 ; Debate on Motions for Adjournment, No. 22 ; Motions for Adjournment in abuse of fiules, etc., No. 23. Adjournment of the House : When Motion for lapses. No. 1 ; Debate on Motion for, No. 22 ; Motion for, in abuse of Rules, &c,. No. 23 ; Motions for, after Questions, No. 17 ; Adjournment of the House from Friday to Monday, No. 18 ; Adjourn- ment at one o'clock. No. 1 ; Motion to exempt Business from operation of the Standing Order, No. 1 ; Adjournment at six o'clock, No. 3. Affirmation made by Members, No. 87 ; made by Witnesses, Nos. 88, 89. Amendments : On first going into Committee of Supply, No. 56 ; Amendments to Bills in Committee and on Report, Nos. 34-41 ; Blanks in Bills not Amendments, No. 37 ; Verbal Amendments on Third Reading, No. 42 ; Consideration of Lords' Amendments, No. 43 ; Lords' Amendments (Pecimiary Penalties), No. 44 ; Notice of Amendments (Standing Committees), No. 47. Bills, Public. See PubHo Bills. Blanks in Public Bills : Proceedings on, No. 37. Business, Public : Motions at the Commencement of. No. 16 ; Government Business, arrangement of. No. 15. See also Debate, Order in ; Orders of the Day. Chairman : Motions that Chairman do leave the Chair, lapse on interruption to Business, No. 1 ; Debate on Motion for. No. 22 ; made in abuse of Rules of House, No. 23. See also Ways and Means, Chairman of. Chairman of Select Committee, administers Oath, &c.. No. 89 ; his duty when Quorum not present. No. 74. See Select Committees. Chairman of Committee of Ways and Means. See Ways and Means, Chairman of. Chairman of Standing Committees : Nomination of. No. 49. See also Temporary Chaii-men of Committees of the whole House. Charges upon the People. See Public Money. INDEX 186 Clauses. See PubKc Bills. Clerk at the Table : Beads Orders of the Day on Mr. Speaker's direction, No. 13 ; administers Oath or Affirmation to Witnesses, No. 88 ; receives Notices of Ques- tions, No. 20. Clerk of Select Committee : May administer Oath, No. 89 ; his duty as regards Quorum, No. 74. Closure of Debate : Motions for, Nos. 25, 26 ; at the interruption of business at mid- night, and half -past five o'clock, No. 1 ; cannot be moved save when Speaker or Chairman of "Ways and Means is in the Chair, No. 25. Committee of Selection. See Selection, Committee of. Committees. See Select Committees ; Standing Committees ; Committees of the whole House ; alao Service of Suspended Members on Private BiU Committees, No. 27. Committee of Public Accounts. See Public Accounts. Committees of the whole House: "Wben the House resolves itself into Committee forthwith, Nos. 32, 51, 56 ; reports from. No. 53 ; interruption of proceedings in, at midnight and at half -past five o'clock, No. 1 ; at morning sittings. No. 5. See also Committees on Bills, Nos. 32-8 ; Supply, &c.. No. 54-6 ; Applications for Public Money in Committees, Nos. 58, 59, 61 ; Witnesses before Com- mittees, No. 88. Contracts. See Packet and Telegraphic Contracts. Crown, Recommendations from: To appKeations, Public Money, &c., Nos. 57, 60, 61. Debate, Order in: Suspension of Members, No. 21 ; Irrelevance, &c., iu Debate, No. 24 ; Closure of Debate, Nos. 1, 25, 26. Debate on Motions for Adjoiuument of Debate, Nos. 1, 22 ; Motions for Adjournment of Debate in Abase, &c., No. 23. Debts to the Crown. See Public Money. Deputy Speaker. See Ways and Means, Chairman of, &c. Dilatory Motions, lapse at interruption of business under No. 1. Disorderly conduct. Order thereon, No. 27. Divisions : Two-nunute glass to be turned. No. 28 ; Doors of the House to be closed, No. 29 ; Divisions frivoloxisly claimed. No. 30 ; entry of Divisions ia Select Com- mittees, No. 73. Doors of the House (Divisions) to be closed after lapse of two minutes. No. 29. First reading of Public Bills : Question thereon put forthwith, No. 31 ; Question fori in Committee discontinued, No. 36. Government Business : Arrangement of, giving priority either to Motions or Orders of the Day, No. 15 ; priority to Government Business on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, No. 10. Orants of Public Money. See Public Money. House of Commons : Exclusion from precincts of, under Standing Order " Disorderly Conduct," No. 27 ; Notice of House at Prayers to Committees, No. 76 ; Members' Seats in, secured at Prayers, Nos. 84, 85 ; Strangers in, Nos. 90, 93 ; Letters addressed to, No. 97. See also Committees of ; Sittings of ; Adjournment of. Hoiise of Lords : Bills from. Questions decided without Amendment or Debate, No. 31. See also Lords' Amendments to Public BiUs. India, Revenues of: Motion for charge on, to be recommended by Crown, No. 61. 186 INDEX. Instruction : Amendments in pursuance of, to Bills in Committee, and on Keport, Nos. 34, 41. Interruption to Business : Rules regarding, No. 1 ; Dilatory Motions lapse at. No. 1 ; Motion to exempt Business from, No. 1 ; at morning sittings, No. 5. Introduction of Public BiUs: Motions for, at commencement of Public Business, No. 16. Irrelevance in Debate : Order on. No. 24. Italics. iSe« Public BiUs (Blanks in). Letters of Members : Custody of, Nos. 94, 95, 96 ; directed to the House, No. 97. Librarian of the House : Delivery to, of ParUamenfary Papers, No. 98. Lobby of the House : Lists of Members sei-ving on Select Committees to be affixed therein. No. 70. Lords' Amendments to Public Bills : Consideration of. No. 43 ; touching pecuniary penalties. No. 44. Mail Contracts : See Packet, &c.. Contracts. Members : Disorderly Conduct, No 27 ; called on to rise in their places on Motions for Adjournment after Questions, No. 17 ; and to give their Votes, No. 30 ; Suspension of, Nos. 21, 27 ; directed to discontinue their Speeches, No. 24 ; Seats of, in the House, Nos. 84, 85 ; Take Oath or Affirmation, No. 87 ; Nomination and Attendance (Select Committees), Nos. 68-70 ; not to bring Strangers into House, No. 91 ; Letters to, Nos. 94-96. See also Debate, Order in ; Divisions ; Questions to. Money (Public). See Public Money. Morning Sittings : When the House meets at two o'clock. No. 4 ; Sitting suspended at seven o'clock. No. 6 ; Resumed at nine o'clock, No. 6 ; Report of Progress at nine o'clock. No. 7 ; Sittings at nine o'clock, No. 8. See alto Wednesday Sittings. Motions : Power to Government to give priority to, No. 15 ; for BiUs and Nomination of Committees at commencement of Public Business, No. 16 ; Days on which Motions are preceded by Orders of Day, No. 10. Motions for Adjournment of House made after Questions, No. 17. See also Adjournment of Debate ; Adjournment of the House. Nomination of Select Committees, Motions for, before Public Business, No. 16. Notice of Motions : Not to exceed four Notice Days, No. 19 ; of Amendments on first going into Supply, No. 56. Notice of Motion : Priority to, at commencement of Public Business, No. 16. Notice of Questions put to Members, No. 20. Oath, Affirmation, &c., by Members, No. 86 ; by Witnesses, Nos. 88, 89. Obstruction. See Closure of Debate. Order in Debate. Suspension of Members. Order in Debate : Members named for obsti-uction and other offences in Debate, No. 21 ; Debate on Motions for Adjournment, No. 22 ; Motions for Adjournment in abuse of Rules of House, No. 23 ; Irrelevance or Repetition in Debate, No. 24. See also Closure of Debate. Order in the House. See Disorderly Conduct. Orders of the Day : Precedence of, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, No. 10; Orders of the Day on Friday, No. 11 ; read without Question put. No. 13 ; disposed of in order upon the Paper, No. 14 ; priority to Government Business, Nos. 10, 14, 15 ; Order of BiUs, other than Government BiUs, after Whitsimtide, No. 12. INDEX. 187 Packet and Telegraphic Contracts : Approved by Eesolution, No. 63 ; Laid before Parliament, No. 64 ; Confirmed by PubUo Act of Parliament, No. 65. Papers (Parliamentary) : DeUvery of, to Librarian of the House, No. 98. Pecuniary Penalties : Dealt with by House of Lords, in Bills and Amendments, No. 44. Petitions for Grants of Public Money : See Public Money. Petitioiffi, Public : Presentation of, No. 78 ; no Debate thereon. No. 79 ; Debate on Petitions complaining of personal grievance. No. 80 ; reference to Public Petitions Committee, No. 81 ; Petitions against Taxation, No. 82. Places of Members to be secured at Prayers, Nos. 84-5. Postmaster- General, Orders to be sent to, No. 96. Prayers, Notice of, to Select Committee, No. 76. Preamble of BiUs : Postponed without Question put, No. 35. Precincts of the House : Exclusion of Members from, No. 27. Preponderance of Voices : Speaker, action on, under, No. 1. Priority of certain Government Motions, No. 16. Private Bni Committees : Service on, of Members under Suspension, Nos. 21, 27. Proceedings under Act of Parliament, &c. ; exemption of, under Standing Order " Sittings of the House," No. 1. Progress : Motions for Reporting, lapse at interruption of Business, No. 1 ; Debate on Motions for Reporting, No. 22 ; Motion for Reporting, in abuse of Rules of House, No. 23 ; BiUs in Progress, No. 32. Public Bnis : Motions for introduction of. No. 16 ; read a first time, No. 31 ; Referred to Standing Committees, No. 47 ; BiUs in Progress, No. 32 ; referred together to a Committee, No. 33 ; Amendments in Committee, No. 34 ; Postponement of Pre- amble, No. 35 ; Question not put in Committee for reading BiUs a first and second time. No. 36 ; Proceedings on blanks, or words printed in italics. No. 37 ; on Clauses, No. 38 ; BiUs reported. No. 39 ; Consideration of Bin, as amended. No. 40 ; Amendments on Report, No. 41 ; on Third Reading, No. 42 ; Lords' Amend- ments, No. 43 ; Pecuniary Penalties, No. 44 ; Temporary Laws, No. 45 ; Report of, from Standing Committees, No. 50-; order of unofficial Bflls after Whitsuntide, No. 12. Public Accounts Committee : Appointment of. No. 77. Public Business : Sue Business (Public). Public Money : Petition, or Motion, applying for Public Money to be recommended by Crown, No. 57 ; such Motions to be made in Committee, No. 58 ; Motions to be made on a future day. No. 62 ; Proceedings on Petitions to compound debts to the Crown, Nos. 58-9 ; Address to Crown creating a charge to be moved in Committee, No. 60 ; Petition or motion for charge on Revenues of India to be recommended by the Crown, No. 61. Public Petitions :