MR. G. A. CAVENDISH BENTINCK (Whitehaven)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that only two Members of the Government were in their places at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, when 39 Members were found to be present, and the House was counted; and whether he will produce any evidence or refer to any proceedings of the House to justify a contention that the Government are under no responsibility to assist in making a House on Tuesday evenings when the mornings have been appropriated by the Government?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHI must refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave to him on the 7th inst., in reply to a somewhat similar question. The facts stated as to the count out on Tuesday are, I believe, correct, but I can only say that if hon. Members having Motions or Bills on the paper find that their proposals attract so little attention that it is impossible to make or keep a House, it cannot be expected that the Government, taking into consideration the vastly increased attendance to which hon. Members have already to submit in order that public business may be proceeded with, will exercise pressure on hon. Members to attend on occasions when business is not of great importance. My right hon. Friend challenges me to produce evidence in support of our decision. I, on my part, would ask him whether he can refer to any period when the calls on the time of Members of this House were so heavy as they are at present. If he is unable to do this, I hold that the position we have taken up on this question is a sound one.
MR. G.A. CAVENDISH BENTINCKWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the latter part of the question. Of course, the right hon. Member for Mid Lothian cheered the answer just given, because he always does his best to extinguish the rights of private Members.
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHMy right hon. Friend must accept my assertion of the universal practice of the House and of parties on both sides, unless he is pre- pared to adduce evidence of a contrary character.
§ MR. R. COOKE (Newington, W.)May I ask whether it is not a fact that there were hon. Members within the precincts amply sufficient to make a House?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHI was not aware of the fact, but I think it is conclusive evidence that such hon. Members did not desire to take part in the discussion.