§ MR. SEXTONI desire to say a word by way of personal explanation. I said yesterday I would to-day put a Question to you, Mr. Speaker, as to the admission of a person of the name of Houston to parts of the House reserved 387 to the use of Members of the House. Since then your Secretary, Sir, has been kind enough to inform me that the name of this person has not been placed this year on your Lobby List, or on any list of persons having special access to the House, and I therefore do not propose to put any Question.
§ MR. SPEAKERI am not responsible to the hon. Member for whom I admit to the Lobby. Of course, I am glad to give any information in my power. Mr. Houston's name was on the Lobby List last Session for a specified period only. At the commencement of this Session no application was made on behalf of Mr. Houston, and his name was not placed on the List at all. I have not removed the name, as it was not there.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYMay I ask if you will be good enough to say whether the period when Mr. Houston had admission to the Lobby synchronises with the passage of the Special Commission Act of 1888, when he had conversations with the First Lord of the Treasury?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! I do not think that is a proper Question to put to me. I have endeavoured to admit to the Lobby representatives of different organizations and different parties in this House, and I am not aware that I have on any one occasion deviated from that course.