§ MR. GRANTLEY BERKELEYMR. Speaker, I rise to put a question, with a 636 view to prevent, if I can, in the future discussion of the Ecclesiastical Titles Assumption Bill, that asperity of language which we all must regret to have already heard. The question is as follows, and I trust the reply will show the House the exact position in which it stauds with reference to debate: "Whether it be competent to the House to reconsider the Resolution at present in force as to the freedom of debate, and to amend it in cases where language is insulting collectively to individuals as well as personally, as was the case in the Papal Aggression debate on Thursday last?"
§ MR. SPEAKERHon. Members are aware that the rule of the House with regard to freedom of debate is part of the unwritten law of the House, and that it is a privilege which it is most important to preserve inviolate. At the same time it must be acknowledged that there are restraints which are not imposed by the actual rules of the House. Those restraints are founded upon the good feeling and courtesy of hon. Members, which ought to prevent, as much as possible, any Member from wounding the feelings, and especially the religious feelings, of other Members of the House. But I beg to state that in all cases of this description it is quite competent for the House to pronounce an opinion at the time upon the words spoken. For if any hon. Members are not satisfied with the decision of the Chair, it is competent not, for one hon. Member, but for the House, to call upon the Speaker to desire the words to be taken down; and then the sense of the House may be taken upon them. I entertain however, the greatest confidence that hon. Members, feeling the importance, as well for the satisfactory discussion of all important subjects, as for the preservation of the dignity of the House, that those restraints to which I have alluded should be observed, and, knowing that they cannot be enforced by any of the orders of the House, will see the greater necessity of not disregarding them.