§ Mr. LOUGHasked the Prime Minister whether it was brought to his notice last year that over 200 Members of the House were in favour of returning to the former practice by which the Members who succeeded in the ballot should be enabled to bring forward their Motions before any general statement was made by the Minister in charge on going into Committee of Supply; and whether he could see his way to arrange that this course would be followed this year?
§ Mr. McKENNA (for the Prime Minister)I do not think that the evidence submitted to me by my right hon. Friend shows such a preponderance of opinion in favour of the change as to justify at present a departure from the settled practice of recent years; but, as I said last year, this is a matter for the House itself to decide. The Patronage Secretary will place himself in communication with the different parties in the House on the subject.