§ MR. J. G. HUBBARDasked whether the Prime Minister contemplated such an alteration of the Business for tomorrow as would interfere with the discussion of the Notices of Motion of private Members?
§ MR. J. G. HUBBARDasked for the indulgence of the House for a few moments in order that he might draw attention to a matter intimately connected with the rights and privileges of private Members. ["Order, order !"] He was not in the habit of intruding unduly on the time of the House. [Cries of "Hear, hear!" "Oh !" and "Move" the Adjournment !"] He could move the Adjournment, but he preferred to appeal to the indulgence of hon. Gentlemen. [Cries of "Order!" and cheers.]On a day near the end of last Session he had secured the first place on the Notice Paper, it being his intention to direct attention to a most important subject. The Government, however, asked— [Cries of"Order!"]
§ MR. LABOUCHEREI rise to Order. I wish to know, Sir, whether the right hon. Gentleman is in Order? [Cries of "Move the Adjournment!"]
§ MR. J. G. HUBBARDThen I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment.
§ MR. SPEAKERThe right hon. Gentleman is not in Order in the course which he is now pursuing—in raising a question of debate at this stage of this evening's proceedings. The right hon. Gentleman is, however, entitled to ask a Question with reference to the Morning Sitting to-morrow.
MR. GLADSTONEI may be permitted to say that the House will, of course, meet at 9 in the evening, when the right hon. Gentleman will have the opportunity which he desires.
MR. GORSTasked whether the Prime Minister would consent that in future a Morning Sitting should only be proposed by a substantive Motion. The present practice was to say simply, when the Orders were read over, just before the adjournment of the House, that such or such a Bill would be brought forward at 2 in the afternoon.
MR. GLADSTONEIf the hon. and learned Member wishes to propose an 481 alteration in the established practice it is quite open for him to do so.
MR. J. LOWTHERAre we to understand that the Government have definitively decided to hold a Morning Sitting to-morrow, or is it to be contingent, as was stated yesterday by the President of the Local Government Board, on the progress made with Business to-night? The two statements are quite distinct.
MR. GLADSTONEIf we are able to dispose of the Orders in question tonight, the Attorney General's Bill, and the Irish Sunday Closing Bill, we shall be able to dispense with the Morning Sitting.