§ (12.19.) THE FIRST LORD OF the TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)In rising to move the Resolution standing in my name, I do not want to make a speech about it, but 968 I would very earnestly press on Gentle men on both sides of the House to allow the Motion to pass sub silentio or practically sub silentio. I do not think I need go into the matter at any length, have done my best to put the hon. Member for East Mayo exactly in the position he would have been in had we not begun the discussion of the rule dealing with suspension. I quite admit that that was not done at the request of the hon. and learned Member opposite, or as a favour to the Member for East Mayo; it was done because it seemed to us to be the proper course to pursue But I would venture to suggest that, in these circumstances, the House should consent to look at the matter as it would have been looked at had the rule never been touched, and that we should be allowed to proceed just as we would have proceeded under the old rule, so that the hon. Member for East Mayo may be allowed to come back to the House without any discussion as to the circumstances attending his suspension or as to the length of the penalty that ought or ought not to be inflicted upon him. It would be for the convenience and dignity of the House that we should treat the question as it would have been treated except for the fact that the discussion of the rule had not been completed before the incident of Friday last. I believe this common-sense view of the matter will commend itself to the House generally, and I earnestly trust that the House will consent to follow the counsel which I respectfully tender to it.
§ Resolved, That the suspension of Mr. Dillon, ordered on the 20th day of March, do continue for one week from that date.—(Mr. A. J. Balfour.)
§ Adjourned at twenty-five minutes after Twelve o'clock.