§ MR. BRYCEIt would greatly assist hon. Members in fixing their arrangements for next week if the right hon. Gentleman can tell the House what will be the business on Friday in next week.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Water Bill will be taken on Thursday, and in all probability it will be continued on Friday.
§ MR. LAMBERTMay I ask whether, when the new Rules are considered on Monday, it will be possible to discuss the hour of meeting of the House.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI shall have to refer to the Sessional Order. I imagine the question turns on a very simple principle. It is only the new Sessional 515 Orders which come up for discussion. The changes made in the old Standing Orders—many of them of as much importance as the new Sessional Orders—will not come up for discussion; and if, as I think, the hour of the House's meeting is embodied in an old Standing Order, it cannot be discussed.
§ MR. BRYCEAs the point is of great importance, I would ask whether, if it were conveyed to the rigth hon. Gentleman that there is a general desire on the part of the House to reconsider the hour of meeting, he would afford an opportunity for discussion.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not think that this session we can do more with the Rules than make the Sessional Orders Standing Orders. Any continuation of the Government's programme as regards the business of the House must be deferred to next session.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESWill the motion for making the Sessional Orders Standing Order, be put simply as one Question, or will each Order be put separately?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs in the case of the 1882 precedent, all the Rules will be included in one Resolution.
§ MR. CAUSTON () Southwark, W.Can an Amendment be moved to leave out a particular Rule?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not at all sure that I have not been answering Questions which I had no right to touch upon. Any other Questions as to what can or cannot be done should be referred to the Chair, the only authority in these matters.