ASCENSION DAY (COMMITTEES). (Hansard, 14 May 1890)

§ (12.28.) SIR G. CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)

I do hope that this Government will not press this Motion, and waste the time of the House and of the Committees. Though "Ascension Day" is not a part of my Presbyterian doxy, I can quite understand that some people in this country may think it desirable that Committees of this House should not meet on that day. I do not, however, think there is any considerable desire on the part of hon. Members that Committees should not sit to-morrow until 2, seeing how anxious we all are to make progress with the surfeit of work before us. If any Members on particular Committees desire that they should not sit until 2 o'clock I have no doubt the Chairmen of those Committees will yield to their representations and adjourn accordingly. We shall shortly be adjourning over another saint's day—the Derby Day—and though I admit that going to church on Ascension Day is an innocent amusement and not on the same footing as going to the Derby, I think that as only a limited number of Members are likely to desire to go to church the Government should not press the Motion.

§ *(12.30.) THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, Westminster

I am very sorry the hon. Baronet has occupied so much of the time of the House in opposing this Motion. It is one which it is my bounden duty to propose, and it is a Motion that has been made in this House from time immemorial. I would point out to the hon. Baronet that it is a question which only affects the functions of Members of this House who are appointed to serve on the Committees of the House for the 878 purpose of considering matters in relation to Private Bills. I trust the hon. Baronet will see that the Motion does not in any way infringe on the time of the House itself, and I think I may add that it would be exceedingly hard upon Members of this House who may desire to avail themselves of the ordinary services of their church on Ascension Day to prevent them being able to do so by reason of their compulsory attendance on a Select Committee. I trust the hon. Baronet will not persist in opposing this Motion, but will allow the time of the House to be saved by permitting the Motion to be carried.