HC Deb 15 March 1895 vol 31 cc1153-4
MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)

I beg to ask the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury if, having regard to the fact that the Select Committee on the Unemployed has no power to inquire into the effect shrinkage of the markets has had in causing the evil, the Government will make a House at the Evening Sitting this day so as to enable the matter to be considered?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir W. HARCOURT,) Derby

The Patronage Secretary is not subject to cross-examination. The Government are responsible in these matters, and all I have to say is that it is quite impossible to distinguish one Motion from another, or to give assurances, with regard to a particular Motion, as to a special course involved.

MR. W. E. M. TOMLINSON (Preston)

Has it not been considered to be the duty of the Government to make a House on Friday nights?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I think the Leader of the Opposition made a remark which struck me very much. He said that of all the valued privileges of the House there was none greater than that of choosing whether it would make itself. Unless the Government interfere with the rights of the House in that matter, they cannot undertake to make a House on Friday evenings. Of course the Government are always willing to leave these matters to the discretion of the House.