HC Deb 18 February 1890 vol 341 cc583-4

(4.3.) Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House will meet tomorrow, at Two of the clock."—(Mr. William Henry Smith.)

(4.5.) MR. CAINE (Barrow)

I think the leader of the House cannot be aware of the benign influence of his administration on this venerable ecclesiastical superstition. In 1882, under the leadership of Mr. Gladstone, only 36 members could be found to protest against this annual Motion; but in 1888 the number rose to 91, and in 1889 to 112. I hope the right hon. Gentleman will now see his way to withdraw the Motion.

(4.6.) SIR G.CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy)

Perhaps I may be allowed to make an appeal to the right hon. Gentleman. I do not know whether he has observed that in the event of a Division being taken tonight the first Motion on the Paper for to-morrow would be a Scotch Motion upon a subject of considerable importance, in which a great many of the Scotch Members take a deep interest. I have no objection to any religious form which hon. Members may wish to observe; but the right hon. Gentleman must be aware that so far as the Scotch Members are concerned they take no interest whatever in Ash Wednesday. Then why, in the interests of the public service, and of the business of this house, should not the extra two hours to-morrow be utilised by the Scotch Members for the discussion of Scotch affairs, while those hon. Members who wish to observe Ash Wednesday are attending church? If this Motion is passed those two hours will be absolutely wasted.

(4.9.) MR. W.H.SMITH

As a matter of courtesy to the hon. Gentleman it is only right I should say that, although I am often charged with want of care for the traditions of the House, I feel bound to press this Motion so that the House may conform to a rule which has been observed from time immemorial. I am sure that Scotch Members will not complain if they are asked to discuss Scotch affairs at 2 o'clock instead of 12, because, as far as my observation goes, the House is generally much fuller at 2 o'clock than at 12.

(4.10.) MR. R. CHAMBERLAIN (Islington, W.)

I rise, with some diffidence, to correct the right hon. Gentleman, but I think that in 1884, under the guidance of the noble Lord the Member for Rossendale (the Marquis of Hartington), a Motion similar to that now before the House was withdrawn, and the House met on Ash Wednesday at 12 o'clock.

(4.11.) DR. TANNER

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman why he should persist in wasting the time of the House. Will he give us a distinct assurance that in regard to the remaining Amendments to the Address, he will not proceed deliberately to cloturethem after having wasted two hours of the public time?

(4.12). The House divided:—Ayes 207; Noes, 106.—(Div. List, No. 2.)

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