§ Ordered, That the proceedings on the Members of Parliament (Charges and Allegations) Bill, if under consideration at Twelve o'clock this night, be not interrupted under the Standing Order "Sitings of the House."—(Mr. William Henry Smith.)
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)I intend to move an Amendment on the third reading of the Members of Parliament (Charges and Allegations) Bill. Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman proposes to take the third reading to-night?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)Yes; we shall endeavour to do so.
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONCan I move my Amendment if the third reading comes on to-night?
§ MR. SPEAKERCertainly.
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONDo I understand that if we get through Report the third reading can be moved and debated as a fresh Order?
§ MR. SPEAKERYes.
§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)said, he thought he might tell the First Lord of the Treasury that there would not be that universal consent to take the third reading to-night without which it could not be taken.
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONAs the third reading may possibly be moved to-night, I had, perhaps, better give Notice of the Amendment I intend to move, and which is as follows:—
That this House declines to appoint a Commission for inquiry into matters connected with political movements unless such inquiry he confined to definite charges of a criminal nature against specified individuals.
§ Subsequently,
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONsaid: I beg to ask you, Sir, whether it will be possible to take the third reading of this Bill to-night, if we get through Report, unless there is unanimous consent to that course being adopted?
§ MR. SPEAKERThe third reading may be taken without the unanimous, if there is the general, consent of the House.
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONHow will that general consent be obtained, Sir?
§ MR. SPEAKERI shall be the judge of that.