§ MR. LABOUCHEREI wish to ask the Leader of the House a question with 547 regard to the Rules of Procedure. He said that as they were passed in groups they would come into operation. But it seems to me that as soon as any Rule, or alteration of the Rule, is passed, it comes into operation, and I wish to know, therefore, how the right hon. Gentleman proposes to carry out his plan.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe new Rules may be divided into two classes. First, there are Rules which stand by themselves, which, directly they are passed, become Sessional Orders, and which, if the House choose to pass a further Resolution, "That these be Standing Orders of the House," become Standing Orders. These Rules, inasmuch as they stand by themselves without any necessary organic connection with other Rules, may, I think, come into operation as soon as the House has dealt with them. But there are certain other Rules which cannot be brought into operation until certain other Rules with which they are organically connected have been considered, and I shall have to move a special Resolution to meet that case. I will put a Resolution on the Paper before the first Rule in a group is concluded.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESThe right hon. Gentleman says the Rules, when passed, will be "Sessional Orders." Is he correct? The first of his proposals is an Amendment to a Standing Order.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, that is a Standing Order.
MR. JAMES LOWTHERMay I ask whether the Rules are to be taken in their order upon title Paper; and whether the right hon. Gentleman has considered the desirability of giving precedence to the one dealing with the Deputy-Speaker ship.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURCircumstances of which the House is aware may render it desirable to take the Rule my right hon. friend refers to out of the order in which it is placed on the Paper. I am sorry to say that the news I have received to-day of the Chairman of Committees, though not such as to cause anxiety to his friends, indicates that probably he will be for some time 548 prevented from resuming his duties. In these circumstances, it may be desirable to take that Rule first. I will consider that by to-morrow.
§ Sir JOHN BRUNNER (Cheshire, Northwich)And perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will remember that similar ideas apply to the repeal of old Standing Orders, which ought to be taken immediately after the Standing Orders are settled.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, Sir.