MR. FIELDI desire to ask you, Mr. Speaker, a question with respect to the rights of Members in securing seats. This morning at 11 o'clock I left my card and my gloves on a corner seat. I went away to attend a deputation, and on my return I found the card and gloves removed end the seat taken by another Member. I wish to know whether this is in Order, and what I can do in the circumstances?
§ MR. SPEAKERI may state for the information of the hon. Gentleman and the House generally what is the general rule upon the subject. I know nothing of the particular circumstances of this case. A Member may, however early, within a reasonable time before Prayers, put his hat upon a seat, and thereby lay the foundation of a claim to that seat. That claim can only be perfected and completed by the attendance at Prayers of the hon. Gentleman who has placed the hat in the seat. After that time he retains undisputed possession of the seat in question for the rest of the evening. If the hon. Member's hat was removed—["Gloves, gloves!"]—I must leave the question as between hat and gloves to the courtesy and forbearance of hon. Members—I have only to add that the hon. Member who so places his hat on a seat is expected not to leave the precincts of the House.
§ MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)Is it competent to a Member to have two hats—to deposit one in the House, to go away wearing the other, and then to come back to his seat at Prayers?
§ MR. SPEAKERThis is certainly irregular.