§ MR. SOARES (Devonshire, Barnstaple)asked the Speaker whether his attention had been called to the fact that hon. Members had failed to comply with his request for the observance of the rules as to the retention of seats before prayers, and whether he proposed to take any steps with regard to the matter.
§ MR. SPEAKERI am sorry to say that one or two hon. Members have called my attention to the fact that hon. Members come down in the morning and make use of the card that is intended only to be used whilst they are present in the precincts of the House, for the purpose of engaging a seat, and then go away. The matter has been brought to the attention of the House more than once. I can only once more direct the attention of hon. Members to the conditions under which the cards are issued, and say that the rule is left to the honour of Members to carry out—and that if again my attention is called to the fact that the rule is abused, it will be necessary to withdraw the cards and revert to the old system.