HC Deb 20 January 1897 vol 45 cc122-3
THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.

moved: That no Bills, other than Government Bills, be introduced in anticipation of the Ballot, and that all Members who desire to Ballot, whether for Bills or Motions, for the first four Tuesdays of the Session, do hand in their names at the Table during the Sitting of the House on the first or second day of the Session, and that a Copy of such Notices be handed in at the latest during the sitting of the House on the third day of the Session. That the Ballot for the precedence of the said Bills and Motions be taken on the third day of the Session at a convenient time and place to be appointed by Mr. Speaker. That this Resolution be a Standing Order of the House.

MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

suggested that Members should be allowed to ballot for both Bills and Motions instead of being compelled to make their election between them as was the case under the present Rules of the House. He also recommended that the present form of taking the First Readings of Bills should be abolished.

MR. T. LOUGH (Islington, W.)

supported the suggestions of the hon. Member for Louth. If a separate ballot paper were now placed upon the Table everybody would be satisfied.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

said that he did not think that the course proposed by the hon. Member who had just sat down could be followed. He would, however, consult the officials of the House with regard to the suggestions of the hon. Member for Louth. Those suggestions would involve the abolition of the customary procedure of the House for many generations, and could not be accepted without consideration. In view of the fact that these suggestions had been made, he would not ask the House to make the present Motion a Standing Order, but would reserve the whole subject for consideration in another year. ["Hear, hear!"]

Words "That this Resolution be a Standing Order of the House" struck out.

Ordered— That no Bills, other than Government Bills, he introduced in anticipation of the Ballot, and that all Members who desire to Ballot, whether for Bills or Motions, for the first four Tuesdays of the Session, do hand in their names at the Table during the sitting of the House on the first or second day of the Session, and that a Copy of such Notices he handed in at the latest during the sitting of the House on the third day of the Session. That the Ballot for the precedence of the said Bills and Motions he taken on the third day of the Session at a convenient time and place to be appointed by Mr. Speaker.