SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL&c.) (Kirkcaldy,I rise, Sir, for the purpose of putting a Question to you on a point of Order—namely, Whether you have definitely decided that the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Labouchere) is entitled to precedence for the Motion which he has placed upon the Paper—"That the House, at its rising, do adjourn until Thursday next?" I am aware that your Predecessor, on one occasion, did permit such a Motion to be made; but I wish to know whether that is to be regarded as a definite ruling, and, if so, whether any hon. Member can propose on any day at half-past 4 a Motion for the adjournment of the House for a prayer meeting or for any other purpose, or whether the privilege attaches peculiarly to the Derby Day? Does the privilege, in this respect, of a private Member attach only to a Motion for adjournment over the Derby Day?
§ MR. SPEAKERFor a long series of years it was the custom for the Government to move the adjournment of the House over the Derby Day; but of late years the Government have surrendered that privilege. By the consent of the House, and as an exception—an entire exception to the general rule—it has been thought competent for a private 35 Member at half-past 4 to make a Motion for the adjournment of the House over the Derby Day. That was the practice followed—so far as I can recollect; but I have not been able to refer to dates in 1878, 1880, 1881, and 1883. Therefore, following the ruling of my Predecessor in this Chair, I have no hesitation in saying that the Motion of which the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Labouchere) has given Notice is in Order.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLPerhaps I may be excused if I put another Question. You said, Sir, I think, by the consent of the House. If that is a necessary preliminary to the Motion being made, I would venture to ask how the consent of the House is to be ascertained?
§ MR. SPEAKERI said that the House has already sanctioned the custom?
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Londonderry, S.)You are probably aware, Sir, that in 1881 this House sat on the Derby Day and passed a Coercion Act for Ireland?
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLI beg to give Notice that I shall oppose the Motion of the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Labouchere).