§ MR. WILLIAM RUTHERFORD (Liverpool, West Derby)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he will give facilities for the discussion of the Motion on the recent alterations in the House and the interference with Members' seats and privileges.†
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI think that an opportunity should be given to the House for discussing this matter before we rise. My right hon. friend was mistaken in the impression which he conveyed that there would be a special Vote during these sittings. There will not be a special Vote, and I am considering in what form such an opportunity can best be provided. I take it that there will be no desire on the part of the House to discuss the question at great length, and that in the prospect of such an opportunity, daily Motions directed to the presence of strangers will be discontinued.
§ MR. WILLIAM RUTHERFORDasked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that important alterations were now going on and that one was made last night after this Motion was set down.
†The Motion referred was in the following terms:—" That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into and report to the House upon the recent alterations in the House whereby an obstruction has been erected preventing Members using about ten seats to the right of Mr. Speaker, heretofore appropriated to the use of Members, and whereby strangers are being introduced into a portion of the House not hertofore used for such purpose; and, further, the recent alterations in the House to the right under the Gallery whereby Members' privileges of securing the introduction of strangers under the Gallery have been curtailed by one-half.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThey cannot be alterations affecting the general policy of the new arrangement of seats.