HC Deb 06 February 1866 vol 181 cc106-7

The Sessional Orders being moved according to custom, on the Order— That the Votes and Proceedings of this House be printed, being first perused by Mr. Speaker, and that he do appoint the printing thereof; and that no person but such as he shall appoint do presume to print the same,

SIR COLMAN O'LOGHLEN

said, he had a suggestion to offer on the subject. The House was aware that in the heading of the Votes the days of the week to which they referred were printed in Latin. He thought the time had come when an alteration should be made in this respect. The matter might not be of much importance; but it was rather inconsistent that while the heading of the Votes, and the hour and day to which the House adjourned, and in the Notices the days of the week and month, were in English, in the Votes the days of the week and the months should be in Latin. There ought to be at least uniformity in the printing of their proceedings. There was a time when all legal proceedings were printed in the Latin language, but a hundred years ago that was changed. He knew it was in the power of the Speaker to direct the alteration which he suggested—namely, the printing of the headings in English; but he was sure the right hon. Gentleman would not be disposed to change the present system without an expression of the wish of the House.

MR. WALPOLE

said, that the matter was one quite within the discretion of the Speaker. If it were thought convenient that the days of the week should be printed in English instead of Latin, he did not think any one would raise an objection to the hon. Baronet's suggestion.

MR. SPEAKER

said, that in early days the Votes were printed solely for the use of Members; but now they were published and circulated for the information of the public also. Perhaps, therefore, the use of one language throughout would be more convenient. With the concurrence of the House he should be happy to give directions to that effect.

[And the proposed alteration was made from the commencement of the Session.]