§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYI beg to ask leave to move the adjournment of the House to call attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the proposed erection by a German firm, by German workmen and supervisors, of certain works incidental to the construction of one of His Majesty's ships, a "Dreadnought," in such circumstances as will involve the presence of these foreigners in close proximity to and during the construction of such battleship.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member will have an opportunity to-morrow, on the Motion for the Adjournment, to raiséthe point. I can hardly say the matter is so urgent between to-day and to-morrow as to make it absolutely necessary to take the matter to-day. I think the hon. Member will have ample opportunity to-morrow.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYOf course, if that is your ruling, I at once bow to it, but with great respect may I submit that there are restrictions to the opportunity to-morrow, especially when we may have something else to talk about, of taking the opinion of the House on a matter which a Member of the House pledges himself to establish, namely, something contrary altogether to the assurance given by the Minister.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have to consider whether the matter is urgent or not within the meaning of the Ruin, and I was really "letting the hon. Member down easily" in suggesting that he should raise the discussion to-morrow. If he presses me very hard, I should have to say the matter was not urgent within the meaning of the Rule.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYThere may be a blocking Motion, Mr. Speaker.