COMMITTEES (ASCENSION DAY). (Hansard, 26 May 1897)

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOLR,) Manchester, E.
moved "That Committees do not meet to-morrow, being Ascension Day, until Two of the clock."

§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGE (Carnarvon Boroughs)
said that he must protest this year, as he did last, against this Motion, which was exceedingly unfair to those who were engaged in Committee work. The very important Committee on Fair Wages and the Government Contracts Committee sat to-morrow, but if this Motion were agreed to it would practically be a day lost, although it was very desirable that those Committees should report at the earliest possible moment. With regard to the other Committees dealing with private Bills, witnesses were brought up from the country, and if this Motion were carried the result would be that a day's expenses would be added to the already enormous cost of Private Bill procedure. He did not wish to prevent anyone who desired to do so from attending a place of worship to-morrow, but it was perfectly well known that the Motion was not really made for the purpose of enabling hon. Members to attend a place of worship. [" Oh, oh! "] Last year the Speaker had ruled out of order an Amendment which he now submitted in the form of a suggestion—namely, that any Member desiring to attend a place of worship should submit the matter to his colleagues on the Committee, who might decide not to sit on Ascension Day. He felt so strongly on the subject that he should certainly take a Division on the Motion.

§ MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)
, regretted the opposition which the Motion annually met with in that House. The celebration of Ascension Day was recognised as one of the cardinal points of the Christian faith, and he regretted that anybody should be found to stand up in 1346 that House, and practically deny the Ascension of our Lord. [Loud cries of"Oh.!" and "Order!"]

§ MR. SPEAKER
Order, order! The hon. Member ought to withdraw that observation. [Cheers.]

§ MR. JOHNSTON
said that he withdrew the expression at once, and apologised to the House if he had used an expression which grated upon the feelings of any hon. Member in the least degree. He felt so strongly on this matter himself that he could not refrain from entering a protest against the opposition to this Motion, and must express his profound regret that any one in that House should be found to oppose it. [" Hear, hear! "]