§ Mr. KINGI beg to ask, Mr. Speaker, a question relative to an incident which occurred at the end of the second Division yesterday afternoon, when only three Tellers appeared at the Table to announce the result. After a short period of suspense, Mr. Chairman decided to accept the figures from three of the Tellers, one being absent. I wish to ask whether there is any precedent for this, and whether you can give any ruling or direction to prevent any recurrence of this irregularity?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere is a precedent which I recollect very well, because I happened to be Chairman of Ways and Means at that time. I think it was in August, 1895. One of the Tellers absented himself, and did not appear at the Table to report the numbers; and I may take the opportunity now of repeating what I said on that occasion—that is, I informed the hon. Member—the defaulter—that it is his duty as Teller to remain within the House after he has told the numbers and not go outside the House until he has reported the numbers to the House. I regret that the incident should have occurred again yesterday. I think that after this statement hon. Members will take care to appear at the Table to report the numbers before they go into the Lobby or elsewhere. This can only have happened by the inadvertance or forgetfulness of the hon. Member in question.