§ Sir WILLIAM BYLESasked the Prime Minister whether the Government Motion to allow a Grand Committee to continue its labours indefinitely after four o'clock, and which passed the House sub silentio, creates an entirely novel precedent; whether it obliges a section of the House to be absent from duty either in the House or in Committee; and whether he will undertake that such a dilemma, depriving the constituencies of the service of their representatives, shall not be again proposed?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Motion made last Wednesday was in accordance with the Standing Orders. It was proposed to ensure the completion of the consideration of the Shops Bill in Committee. As a matter of fact, the Committee rose before four o'clock.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us what the reason was for the motion of the Home-Secretary on that day?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI imagine it was to secure the completion of the Committee stage of the Shops Bill.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has refreshed his memory of the Long Parliament when several chairmen of committees died of exhaustion?