HC Deb 06 February 1908 vol 183 cc1219-20

Ordered, That a Select Committee be appointed to control the arrangements for the Kitchen and Refreshment Rooms in the Department of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

Ordered, That the Committee do consist of Seventeen Members.

The Committee was accordingly nominated of: Mr. Barnard, Sir William Cremer, Mr. Dalziel, Mr. Fenwick, Viscount Helmsley, Colonel Sir Ivor Herbert, Mr. John Deans Hope, Sir James Jacoby, Colonel Lockwood, Mr. Lonsdale, Mr. McKillop, Mr. Power, Mr. William Redmond, Sir Edward Strachey, Mr. Thorne, Mr. Walrond, and Mr. Osmond Williams.

Ordered, That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records.

Ordered, "That Three be the Quorum."—(Mr. Whiteley.)

On the Motion for the adjournment of the House.

MR. FORSTER (Kent, Sevenoaks)

I should like to ask for the convenience of the House generally what arrangements will be made for balloting for I notices of Motion on going into Committee of Supply. Under the circumstances under which the balloting has taken place in recent years, there has been an opportunity, while Questions were proceeding, for Members to enter their names on the ballot paper. To-morrow the House meets at twelve o'clock. There are no questions and public business begins as a rule about eight or ten minutes past twelve. If the ballot paper is not available for the signatures of Members before twelve o'clock, that will leave but a bare seven or eight minutes during which it will be possible for something like 200 or 300 Members to enter their names. Under those circumstances, it seems to me there will be scanty opportunity for hon. Members who take advantage of the opportunity given to them to secure an opportunity of bringing forward notices of Motion on going into Committee of Supply. If I may be permitted, I should like to ask you what arrangements will be made so as to give to Members of the House generally an opportunity of securing a favourable place in the ballot.

MR. SPEAKER

The Book should be placed in the "No" Lobby at or immediately before twelve, and it will be open to Members to write their names in it whilst Prayers are going on. As soon as prayers are over, the Book will be brought in and placed on the Table in the usual place. I will be careful not to call on Motions until I see that all those desirous of subscribing their names have done so. When the list is completed, we will proceed with the notices of Motion.

And, it being after half-past Eleven of the clock, Mr. SPEAKER adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.

Adjourned at twenty-five minutes before Twelve o'clock.