§ [REPORTS OF MONEY COMMITTEES.]
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, EIn moving the Resolution as to Ways and Means which stands in my name, I may say I do not think it requires much explanation. With one exception it is in the form in which it has been passed for many years without discussion or Amendment. The object is to enable Reports of the Committee of Ways and Means to be taken after twelve o'clock, and the only difference between this Motion and its predecessors is that it restricts its operation to Reports of the Committee of Ways and Means, and does not cover Reports of Supply as formerly. Owing to the recent reform of our Rules of Procedure, the House will not in future be asked to spend weary, and often, I fear, unprofitable hours after midnight in discussing Reports of Supply. But it would sometimes be extremely inconvenient if we could not take Reports of the Committee of Ways and Means, and I may cite as an illustration that last week, had any Member objected to its being taken, the whole business of Parliament would have been upset, and we should have had to interfere with a Private Members' day or take a Saturday sitting. Therefore it is with great confidence I ask the House to reaffirm the Sessional Order.
§ MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)I only rise to express my gratification that the right hon. Gentleman has been good enough to explain the change that has taken place in the form of this Sessional Order.
§ Ordered, that the Proceedings on the Reports of the Committee of Ways and Means and other Committees authorising the Expenditure of Public Money may 696 be entered upon at any hour after midnight though opposed, and shall not be interrupted under the Standing Order (Sittings of the House).—(Mr. A. J. Balfour.)