§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)asked the Prime Minister whether his attention had been called to the serious scandal which had arisen with reference to Questions; whether he was aware that to-day was the third or fourth occasion on which less than half the Questions on the paper had been reached within the allotted time; when the Government intended to make any proposals on the subject, and whether he could suggest to the Committee on Procedure that this was one of the subjects that ought to be dealt with at once by an interim Report.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANNo doubt the subject of Questions and the rules as to putting Questions will come under the consideration of the Committee; but with regard to the immediate state of affairs in the House, the gravity of which I fully recognise, I believe there are twelve Departments, large and small, to the heads of which Questions can be addressed in the House, and the Irish Questions will come first upon one day in the week, but hon. Members from Ireland must not expect to have that prominent position on other days of the week. This arrangement has been made for the convenience of Members and also for the saving of the time of the House.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYBy what authority is this done?
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANIt is by arrangement.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYThen there is no authority.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANsaid it was for the convenience of Members of the House as well as Ministers that Questions should be grouped.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDdenied that there was any arrangement by consent. He had not agreed that Irish Questions should only be taken once a week. This was an irregular arrangement, and he would ask the Prime Minister to see 940 that it was one of the earliest points dealt with by the Procedure Committee.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYappealed to the Speaker to protect the rights of the minority, and refuse the sanction of the Chair to any arrangement to which the House had not given assent.
§ * MR. SPEAKERsaid this arrangement had been in force for two years—
§ MR. DILLONNo; only since the beginning of the session.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYIt has no sanction from the House.
§ * MR. SPEAKERThe sentence I began, I will now continue—I say the grouping of questions is no new arrangement. Probably the best course would be to continue the system until the Procedure Committee could advise the House.