HC Deb 28 February 1888 vol 322 cc1720-1
THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

said, he now had to move Rule VI., the object of which was to enable the Government on Government nights to arrange the Business as they thought fit. He thought the House would agree that it was only reasonable that the Government should have power to arrange the Business on Government nights as they thought fit, so as to give facilities for any Motion being brought on which they might deem fit.

Motion made, and Question proposed, 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." — (Mr. W. H. Smith.)

MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)

said, that the Rule would not enable the Government to give precedence to a Motion moved by a private Member.

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, that if the Government desired to give a private Member an opportunity of bringing forward a Bill or a Motion on a Government night, the House should have an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the arrangement.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL (Paddington, S.)

said, he wanted to point out that if the Government gave up a night to a private Member for a Bill, that Bill would become Government Business.

THE CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS (Mr. COURTNEY) (Cornwall, Bodmin)

said, that under Standing Order 36 the Government could put down a private Member's Bill first on the list on a Monday or Thursday, and treat it as Government Business.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, 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.