HC Deb 16 June 1865 vol 180 cc409-10
MR. W. O. STANLEY,

who had given notice to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty— If there was any special Report made to the Lords of the Admiralty, by the Admiral of the station, as to the loss of ninety-two Sailors and Marines from the burning of Her Majesty's Ship Bombay, off Monte Video, on the 14th of last December: If he can state the number of Marines and Sailors who were drowned, separately, and the length of time that elapsed from the first breaking out of the fire to the sinking of the ship: If there were any patent Life-Belts on board; and, if so, if they were used: If there is any order, rule, or system in the Navy, or the Marine Corps, under which the recruits or men are taught to swim; and if the boys in the service are instructed in the art of swimming: And, how many the crew of Her Majesty's Ship Bombay were on the 14th of December? said, he was, he believed, precluded by the rules of the House from putting the Questions then, but would do so if the noble Lord the Secretary to the Admiralty would allow him on another occasion.

MR. AUGUSTUS SMITH

thought that his hon. Friend would be in order, because this was a new Motion before the House.

MR. SPEAKER

It has been stated to the House that there is at present no Motion before the House. The only member of the sentence that remains is the word "That," and I think it necessary, in order to the due forms of the House, that if any hon. Gentleman wishes to address it he should conclude with a Motion. It will also be necessary that notice of such Motion shall have been given. The hon. Gentleman the Member for Swansea (Mr. Dillwyn) has given notice of his intention to move for copies of correspondence, and he is therefore is order in addressing the House.

MR. DILLWYN

rose to address the House on the subject of his Motion—

SIR EDWARD DERING

rose to order. He was sorry to interrupt the hon. Gentleman, but as he stood before him on the paper, and had given notice of his intention to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty to explain the grounds of his statement relative to the dockyard at Sheerness, he would place himself in order by moving after the word "That" to add "it is desirable that the Secretary to the Admiralty should explain the grounds of his statement, &c."

MR. SPEAKER

said, he had pointed out to the House that the state of the Question did not permit any hon. Gentleman to make a speech unless he was prepared to conclude with a Motion. Another rule of the House was that a Motion could not be made without notice; and in conformity with that rule the hon. Member for Beaumaris (Mr. W. O. Stanley) had stated that he would take another opportunity of addressing his Question to the noble Lord the Secretary to the Admiralty. Under these circumstances the hon. Member for Swansea (Mr. Dillwyn), who had given notice of his Motion, was rightly in possession of the House.

MR. DILLWYN

again rose to speak—

MR. O'REILLY

rose to order. He understood the word "That" was the only word which remained of the Motion before the House; to this the last Motion was an addition, and the whole of that Motion being withdrawn, a new Motion might be put.

MR. SPEAKER

The Motion has been withdrawn, and the word "That" remains.