§ MR. HENEAGEI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, with a view to securing harmonious action in the Committee on the Government of Ireland Bill, he will consider the advisability of using his influence in order that the conduct of the Bill may be left in the hands of a responsible Minister with regard to the Motion for Closure?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE,) Edinburgh, MidlothianI do not exactly gather the intention of the right hon. Member who has put this question, or what he intends to recommend: but I must say, as a substantial answer to it, that when the Government of Ireland Bill is in Committee responsible Ministers of the Crown who are present and taking part in the discussion upon all occasions when proposals of first-class importance or of serious interest are before the Committee on which the Government think it their duty to bring their minds to bear are prepared to make proposals for the Closure at a time when it appears to them that it is proper to do so. But I am bound to say that it would be impossible for the Government to take upon themselves to interfere with the general liberty of hon. Members in reference to the subject.
§ DR. MACGREGOR (Inverness-shire)On a point of Order, Sir, may I ask whether the Rules of Procedure do not permit the humblest Representative of the people to move the Closure when he deems that the Rules of the House are being abused by flagrant obstruction of the Public Business?
§ *MR. SPEAKERAccording to the Standing Order, it is open to any hon. Member to move the Closure.