HC Deb 12 February 1878 vol 237 cc1538-9
MR. PARNELL

wished to ask the Speaker a Question as to a Notice of Amendment given by the hon. Member for Londonderry (Mr. C. Lewis) to his intended Motion for leave to bring in a Bill relating to Absentee Proprietors (Ireland). That Amendment was to substitute for his Motion the following Resolution:— That, in the opinion of this House, it is inexpedient to attempt to interfere between landlord and tenant in reference to the sale and purchase of a tenant's holding, and that all such matters should be left to negotiation between the parties concerned. He wished to know, Whether such a Motion was in accordance with the custom and usage of the House; and, if so, whether he should be prevented by the action of the Sessional Order relating to half-past 12 o'clock from asking leave after that hour?

MR. SPEAKER

An application for leave to bring in a Bill is in the form of a Motion before the House, and every Motion is subject to Amendment. The hon. Member for Londonderry is therefore entitled to move the Amendment which he has placed on the Paper. It is true that a practice has prevailed in recent years of allowing Bills to be introduced before the judgment of the House is taken upon them; but that does not preclude an hon. Member from moving an Amendment, if he thinks proper, on the application for leave to bring in the Bill. There can be no doubt that the Notice of Amendment by the hon. Member for Londonderry does bring the Bill within the operation of the Rule with regard to not taking opposed Business after half-past 12 o'clock.

MR. PARNELL

I must request the indulgence of the House for a moment to point out—["Order, order!"] If necessary, to put myself in Order I shall conclude with a Motion,

MR. SPEAKER

It has been my duty on several occasions to point out to the House the great inconvenience resulting from the practice of hon. Members, who are not satisfied with the Answers given to their Questions, rising to move the Adjournment. If the hon. Member is not satisfied with the Answer now given from the Chair, I submit that it is scarcely consistent with propriety to move the Adjournment of the House.

Mr. PARNELL

I am perfectly satisfied, Sir, with the Answer you have been kind enough to give me; and, as it appears that the practice of moving the Adjournment of the House under these circumstances is deemed equivalent to expressing dissatisfaction with the Answer, I shall not further persist.