RESCISSION OF AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTION, MR. SPEAKER'S SUGGESTION. (Hansard, 14 November 1912)

§ Mr. SPEAKER
Before calling upon the Prime Minister to move the Motion which stands in his name, I propose to make a suggestion to the House. It is rather unusual, perhaps, for the Speaker to intervene in a case of this kind, but the circumstances in which we stand to-day are somewhat unusual. I think nobody in this House would desire to see a repetition of the scenes which occurred yesterday. I do not know that it is necessary for me to further refer to them. It must be evident to the whole House that the proposals the Prime Minister made yesterday were met with very strong feeling on the part of the Opposition, and it was felt by them that an entirely new course was being adopted in order to remedy a wrong, if wrong there be. I cannot help thinking that if the House had an opportunity of rather more consideration of the circumstances under which we stand, and of the position in which the parties respectively are in regard to this matter, another solution of the difficulty might be found more in accordance with the old precedents which have governed this House, and would not 2091 create or set up a new precedent. I do not think this would be a proper opportunity for me to state to the House what the suggestion is that I have to make. That can better be done by private consultation; but I venture to suggest humbly to the House that before we renew a discussion of these matters, the House should take a little further time for consideration, and that those who are charged with submitting to the House a proposal in order to get over the difficulties which have occurred should be given a somewhat longer time for consultation and preparation. I believe I am supposed to be the Moderator of this Assembly, and it is my desire, whilst maintaining the rights of the majority, at the same time to act as the Protector of the liberties of the minority. Therefore, it is only in that sense that I venture to make the suggestion to the House, and I must leave it to the House to decide whether or not the suggestion which I make is a reasonable one. I need only add, of course, that if the House thinks fit not to proceed to-day, the Motion of the Prime Minister will still remain on the Paper, and if no way out of the difficulty is to be found, that Motion would have to be taken up at a future time. I cannot help thinking that a little reflection and consideration of the precedents in the case may lead to a solution of the difficulty which may be acceptable to all sides of the House.

§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)
The intervention which you have just made in our proceedings is, as you have said, somewhat unusual, but I am perfectly certain that nobody on either side of the House will be prepared to dispute its propriety and justice. You are, as you have said, the Moderator in our Debates; you are the trustee of the rights of both sides of the House and of the best traditions of Parliament. For the maintenance of those rights the majority of to-day may become the minority of to-morrow, just as the minority of to-day may become the majority of to-morrow, and therefore every section of the House is equally interested. There should be no breach of continuity of our substantial traditions to which this House owes its great authority amongst 2092 the representative institutions of the world. I think that is an aspiration shared by everyone in this House. If I may venture to say so, I think you have rightly interpreted the duties and responsibilities of your great position, and in view of what has happened, I make this appeal to both sides of the House. Without expressing any opinion—of course, I should like to have time for consideration—one way or the other as to what the ultimate issue of the deliberations may be, I am not only prepared, but I welcome, on behalf of the Government and of those who sit on this side of the House, the appeal you have made to us. I shall, therefore, in consonance with the general wish of the House, in order that full effect may be given to that appeal, and that it may be possible that some solution may be arrived at which may meet, I will not say with general acceptance, but which may lead to a satisfactory issue of the difficulties with which we are faced, for that purpose, in deference to the appeal you have made, move, "That this House do now adjourn until Monday next."

§ Mr. BONAR LAW
Mr. Speaker, I only rise to express my concurrence in all that has fallen from the Prime Minister. I should like, if I can do so with respect, to say that in my opinion the responsibility which you have assumed on this occasion adds, if that be possible, to the feeling of respect which is entertained for you by every Member of the House.

§ Mr. KING
Are we at liberty to discuss the position upon this Motion? I suppose we are.

§ Mr. SPEAKER
The hon. Member is at liberty to discuss it, but he might exercise his discretion whether he thinks it advisable or not. Of course, if anything eventuates from the suggestion I have made the hon. Member will have full opportunity.

§ Mr. KING
After your appeal, Sir, lam quite willing to defer to a later occasion any remarks I may have to make. I may say the position—[HON. MEMBERS: "Sit down."]