HC Deb 03 August 1877 vol 236 cc392-3
MR. NEWDEGATE

Sir, I have a Question on the Paper on which I have to offer a word of explanation. I beg to refer to what occurred on the 2nd and 3rd of July—to the number of divisions which were taken on the Motion for Adjournment. There is no necessity of referring at length to what occurred so recently as this week. I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is his intention, as Leader of this House, to propose any means by which this House may mark and record its sense of the great inconvenience to which this House was on Tuesday and Wednesday last put by the obstructive conduct of a very small minority of its Members?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

So far as I have been able to collect the opinion of the House, I think it is in favour of making no formal record of the proceedings to which the hon. Gentleman refers. I think, on the whole, the impression—which is entirely my own impression—is that it will be more dignified and altogether better that we should leave the record which stands upon the Journals of the House to speak for itself. I trust we shall have no repetition of such scenes as those that have lately occurred. But if, unfortunately, any attempts to repeat them should occur, the House will know how to deal with them.