§ SIR CHARLES DILKEI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it is intended by the Government to give Government time in the present session to the Service Franchise Bill.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.The principles which ought to under lie the "starring" of Private Members' Bills at this time of the session are very simple, and really it depends on the condition of Government business. At this time of the year it is always felt to be a hardship that, when we suspend the 12 o'clock rule, all Private Members' privileges are abrogated, and that even the most uncontentious Bill cannot pass. The practice of "starring" is intended to remedy that difficulty, and I think it should be confined to the purpose for which it was originally devised. Therefore, although I am myself in hearty sympathy with the Bill to which the right hon. Baronet refers, and although it has reached an advanced stage in its Parliamentary history, I think it would be an evil precedent, and one capable of great abuse in the future, if I were to yield to my natural inclination and give Government time to the further discussion of the Bill. In these circumstances I shall not be able to "star" the Bill. I propose to adhere resolutely to the precedents which have been set, and which ought to govern all leaders of the House in dealing with this question.