§ COLONEL SAUNDERSON (Armagh, N.)I beg to give Notice that, unless the hon. Member for West Cavan (Mr. Biggar), or another Member of the Party to which he belongs, take action in the matter, I shall to-morrow move that Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant for the election of a Member for the St. Stephen's Green Division of the City of Dublin, now vacant.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNOR (Liverpool, Scotland)I should like to ask whether this Notice has been given in consultation with the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury (Mr. W. H. Smith), and whether he has given his approval to a course which is entirely contrary to the practice of the House and to the courtesies usually observed?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. AKERS -DOUGLAS) (Kent, St. Augustine's)Perhaps I might be allowed to answer the Question of the hon. Gentleman. I have to say that the action of my hon. and gallant Friend has not been taken in concert with me, nor in concert with the Government at all. The understanding which generally binds official Members of the House is that 24 hours' Notice should be given of the intention of either side to move for the issue of a new Writ, and the Motion is generally made by a Representative of the Party to which the Member whose seat is rendered vacant belongs. I was not here when my hon. and gallant Friend gave his Notice; but if he gave 24 hours' Notice, no doubt the understanding between the two sides is kept. As far as I am myself concerned, I will not take any action in the matter.