HC Deb 11 May 1899 vol 71 cc335-6
MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)

Respecting the disparity of practice between the two Houses on the point, I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury why it is necessary to make a motion that Committees of the House of Commons shall not meet till 2 o'clock on Ascension Day if the Committees of the House of Lords sit as usual.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I should like to inquire into the facts before answering; out if the House of Lords itself does not sit on Ascension Day it seems to me unlikely that its Committees would sit.

MR. J. E. ELLIS

The House of Lords Committees have been sitting as usual.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I know nothing about the House of Lords Committees.

MR. J. E. ELLIS

But they sat to-day.

DR. CLARK (Caithness)

Yes, at 11 a.m.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I will inquire.

MR. R O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)

Is the House of Lords aware that this is Ascension Day at all?