HC Deb 10 February 1893 vol 8 c1065
SIR MARK STEWART

I desire to ask you, Sir, a question, and, if need be, for your ruling on a matter of general convenience to the Members of the House. It will be recollected that on the first day of the Session many hon. Members came to secure their seats between 5 and 6 o'clock in the morning. My suggestion is that you, Sir, might see your way to impose a limit to entrance to this House on Monday next, and also to the Ladies' Gallery, in order that hon. Gentlemen who are not in the habit of getting up at 5 in the morning may not be placed at a disadvantage.

*MR. SPEAKER

I should be happy to lay down any Rule which may be for the general convenience of the House. I can, of course, see that great inconvenience, almost indecorum, has arisen from Members coming into this House at the dawn of day or even before it. If it is a matter of convenience to the House I will name a particular hour. The House has to be cleaned and the servants have to be here for that purpose, so that if Members arrive at an inconveniently early hour it will interfere with that proceeding. If it will be any advantage to the House I will name an hour—say, 12 o'clock.

MR. CHILLY (Mayo, N.)

Do I understand you to name an hour, Sir?—an hour before which no Member of the Irish Party is to come into the House, because, if necessary, if you do not lay down a hard and fast rule, I will be here pretty early—and before 12 o'clock.

*MR. SPEAKER

I do not wish to lay down a Rule that will be inconvenient to the Irish Party or to any Party. I have named 12 o'clock, because I thought it would be generally convenient.