§ Resolved, That the Standing Orders of this House relative to Public Business, as amended, printed.—(Mr. W. H. Smith.)
§ MR. W. H. SMITHsaid, that all the Rules proposed by the Government having been agreed to, it was not his intention to ask the House to proceed with the discussion of the Rules of which Notice had been placed on the Paper by private Members. The first of those stood in the name of the right lion. Gentleman the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Henry H. Fowler), who, he was sure, would not think him wanting in respect to himself or other Members if he left their proposals to be brought forward in the time which belonged to them—[Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER assented.]
§ ME. HOWORTH (Salford, S.)said, with the indulgence of the House he should like to make one or two observations with regard to a Notice he had placed on the Paper.
§ MR. HENRY H. FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)rose to Order. He had given way on the understanding that the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury would move the Adjournment of the Debate. If the Debate were not adjourned, with regard to which ha thought there was an honourable understanding, heshould claim his right to move the Motion in his name.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHsaid, he was under the impression that he had practically moved the adjournment of the debate.
§ Motion made, and Question, "That the Debate be now adjourned,"—(Mr. W. H. Smith,)—put, and agreed to.
§ SIR JOSEPH BAILEY (Hereford)said, he wished to point out the extreme inconvenience of the Rule passed with regard to Private Bills in Committee. At the present time the House sat at 3 o'clock. The effect of the Rule was to reduce the time at the command of Members of Committees from four hours to three.
§ MR. J. O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)I move that the Question be now put.
§ MR. SPEAKERThere is no Question that can be at this moment properly put.
§ SIR JOSEPH BAILEYsaid, the consequence of the reduction of the number of hours during which Committees up- 532 stairs could sit would be to throw greater expense on the suitors. Unless some alteration were made, great inconvenience would be caused to them and to private Members. He did not think the House should part with this subject until it had received further consideration.
§ Ordered, That the further consideration of the New Rules of Procedure be adjourned till Monday 19th March.