§ VISCOUNT EMLYNasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in consequence of the ruling of Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday last, that a Member may proceed to move the Second Heading of a Bill that has not been printed or circulated to Members, although such a course is unusual, Her Majesty's Government propose to take any steps to amend the Standing Orders, so as to prevent the continuance of such a practice?
MR. GLADSTONESir, the opinion on which this Question is founded is a very reasonable one. There is a general and almost invariable rule that Bills shall be printed before they are read a second time. But it would not be wise, and I am quite sure I shall be borne out by the most experienced Members of this House, to make an absolute rule to that effect; because occasions do arise from time to time of great and real neces- 806 sity when it is desirable to pass Bills through this House and the other House of Parliament with an expedition which does not permit the observance of this important formality. Therefore, though I agree with the spirit of the Question, I do not think a rigid rule of that kind ought to be laid down.