HC Deb 15 March 1886 vol 303 cc825-6
MR. ALLISON (Cumberland, Eskdale)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, having regard to the fact that, on Wednesday last, a measure of great importance, on which a large number of honourable Members have given pledges to their constituents, was talked out, he will consider the propriety, without waiting for the appointment of a Committee on Procedure, of proposing some alteration of the Rules of Debate on Wednesday which will secure the judgment of the House being taken in the future?

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE) (Edinburgh, Mid Lothian)

I very much regret what happened on Wednesday last; but, at the same time, I do not think it would be possible to interrupt the Business of the House for the purpose of submitting to it a fractional part of the great and important question of Procedure; and I think it would be embarrassing to the Committee if we were to take out of their hands any portion of that great question.