BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (PROCEDURE). (Hansard, 12 February 1910)

§ Mr. BONAR LAW
In moving the Resolution which stands in my name, after the discussion that has taken place it is unnecessary for me to say anything in regard to it, except to repeat what I have just said to the House, that the Resolution was put down in the precise form in which it has gone through on every previous occasion. But there is this difference, that, owing to the pressure of time on individual Members in other directions, it has been found convenient that the House should not sit on Fridays. That is not the intention of the Government, and, with the permission of the House, I would move the Motion, but leaving out paragraphs (3) and (5), the effect of which will be that the House will meet automatically on Fridays.

§ Colonel WEDGWOOD
I beg to move, in paragraph (2), to leave out the words, "or such other proceedings if that business has been concluded before 10.30 p.m., but, if that business has not been so concluded, not later than 11.30 p.m."
This will give private Members an opportunity of a clear hour's Debate every evening on any question that may crop up. If the Rule was passed as it stands we should have an hour on ordinary days, but whenever there was special Government business introduced we should only have up till 11.30 p.m. To give a clear hour to the Debate allows a man to state the question and to get support and the Government explanation. Over and over again we have seen, in the last four years 120 while this Rule has been in operation, that a question has been raised at the conclusion of business and the Government has had about five minutes in which to reply, making it obviously practically impossible to get any statement of the Government side of the question, and even more impossible to get any reply to the Government's statement. I urge that if this last relic of private Members' rights is to be of the slightest use at all that it should be a real thing instead of a sham. At present it is difficult enough to keep a House at this hour, but when a private Member can succeed in obtaining sufficient support for his Motion to keep forty Members together after eleven o'clock or half-past ten at night, at any rate he should have an opportunity for a proper Debate instead of for a mere statement of his case without any reply from the Government. I do not see what is to be gained by cutting off this extra half hour or ten minutes, or whatever it may be. If we get this concession, Government business will go on exactly as before. The only inconvenience would be to the permanent officials of the House, because, after all, the Members who stop at that hour are only those who are interested in the question. No Division is possible. There is no question of the Government having to keep a House. The only thing that is gained by closing the Debate at a fixed hour in that way is to the permanent officials of the House. Therefore I think a protest should be made against this unnecessary curtailment of the free opportunities of discussing anything we like on the Adjournment. Having made my protest I do not propose to press it to a Division, but we ought to realise that the idea of turning the private Member into a Government hack is a process which has to come to an end.

§ Mr. BONAR LAW
The hon. and gallant Gentleman has not quite shown that experience of the working of our Rules which I should have expected from him. He speaks as if this Motion diminishes the time for discussion on the Adjournment. It does nothing of the kind. Under the ordinary Rule a Member has only half an hour on the Adjournment. The effect of this Rule is not to diminish but to increase it. That is to say, if the House adjourns earlier than eleven, then up to half-past eleven or an hour, whichever is 121 the greater, shall be given. Instead of diminishing, this actually increases the time.
Question put, and agreed to.
Ordered, That, until the House otherwise determines, and so far as the House does not otherwise determine, on every day on which the House sits—
(1) Government Business do have precedence;

(2) At the conclusion of Government Business, and of proceedings made in pursuance of any Act of Parliament requiring any Order, Rule, or Regulation to be laid before the House of Commons, which shall be taken immediately after Government Business, Mr. Speaker shall propose the Question, "That this House do now adjourn," and, if that Question shall not have been agreed to, Mr. Speaker shall adjourn the House without Question put not later than one hour after the conclusion of Government Business or such other proceedings if that Business has been concluded before 10.30 p.m., but, if that Business has not been so concluded, not later than 11.30 p.m.;

(3) Any Private Business set down, or Motion for Adjournment standing over under Standing Order No. 10, for consideration at a quarter-past Eight o'clock on any day shall, if Government Business is concluded before that time be taken at the conclusion of Government Business, and, for the purposes of the preceding provisions of this Order, shall be deemed to be Government Business;

(4) Whenever the House adjourns from Thursday to the following Monday or Tuesday Members desiring to give Notice of Questions for Oral Answers on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday may send Notices of such Questions to the Clerks at the Table, and any Notices of Questions so received by them before Five of the clock on a Friday or Monday shall be accepted as Notices of Questions for Oral Answer on the following Monday and Tuesday, or Wednesday, respectively, and be printed and circulated with the Votes;

(5) Whenever the House adjourns from Thursday to the following Monday or Tuesday, Members desiring to give notice of new Clauses and Amendments to Bills or of Amendments to Motions may send such Notices to the Clerks at the Table. and any each Notices received by them before Five of the clock on a Friday or Monday shall be printed and circulated with the Votes."