§ MR. BOWRING, after some prefatory observations upon the inconvenience that resulted from counting out, moved—"That every Member taking notice that 40 Members are not present shall do so from his place."
§ MR. R. N. FOWLERseconded the Motion.
§
Amendment proposed,
To leave out from the word "That" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words "every Member taking notice that 40 Members are not present shall do so from his place,"—(Mr. Bowring,)
§ —instead thereof.
§ Question proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question."
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, that no doubt the practice was formerly such as the hon. Gentleman now proposed it should be. He would, however, point out that every discussion of a needless character was really a prolongation of the Session. That subject could not be entertained with advantage under the present circumstances of pressure on their time, and the sense of exhaustion which was, he thought, creeping more or less over them all. If considered at all, it should be considered as part of that wide question—the procedure of the House. He hoped, therefore, that the hon. Gentleman would not press his Motion.
§ MR. BOWRINGsaid he would withdraw his Motion.
§ Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.