HC Deb 05 July 1911 vol 27 c1148
Mr. SPEAKER

There is one matter to which I should like to direct the attention of the House. Hon. Members will recollect that yesterday I referred to the change which had been made in the printing of amendments to the National Insurance Bill, and the new rule which was then instituted has received a somewhat startling development to-day. If hon. Members will look at pages 68, 69, and 70 of the Amendments to the National Insurance Bill, they will observe that no fewer than thirty-one hon. Members have handed in their names as proposing a particular Amendment. I think, if this practice is likely to be followed and extended the object with which we started the limitation of the Amendment paper will be entirely defeated. The object was to have a less bulky paper and save a certain amount of printing. I think it will be necessary to limit the number of names of Members fathering identical amendments by the same rule as that which now applies with regard to the handing in of notices for the rejection of a Bill, namely, six. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] Nothing will prevent an hon. Member's name and notice appearing in the blue papers in the ordinary way the day after he has handed his notice in. For the convenience of Members who have to handle all this paper, I think if six names appear that ought to be sufficient bearing in mind that in Committee, if none of those six hon. Members are present, it is open to any hon. Member to get up without notice and move the Amendment on the paper.