§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)I rise for the purpose of making an appeal, in which I think I shall be sympathised with by the whole House, an appeal to those who are interested in the question which is coming before us. Sir, I do not make this appeal by any means at your request, but rather, if I must be frank to the House, against your desire. The House is well aware that MR. Speaker was indisposed yesterday, and I believe is not much less indisposed to-day. And, unfortunately, it has reached us that the Chairman of Ways and Means is also laid up, so that he cannot undertake to discharge his duty in the House. In these circumstances, as MR. Speaker is in a condition of health which makes it undesirable that he should be kept for any great length of time in the Chair, I venture to appeal to those concerned on either side in the question which is about to be brought before us that they should endeavour to bring the debate to a close at an early hour, before dinner, so as to give the Speaker an opportunity for rest.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI join in the appeal of the right hon. Gentleman. It will be understood that if the House takes the course which he has suggested, and I am sure that they will take it, we shall adjourn as soon as the first question on the Paper has been disposed of.
§ MR. ALFRED THOMAS (Glamorganshire, E.)On behalf of those hon. 376 Gentlemen with whom I am associated, we shall be glad to fall in with the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman.
§ * MR. SPEAKERI am greatly obliged to the House for its consideration, upon which I hope I shall make no serious demand.