§ The House met at a Quarter before Three of the clock.
§
The Clerk at the Table (Sir Courtenay P. Ilbert) informed the House of the unavoidable absence of Mr. SPEAKER from this day's sitting:
Whereupon Mr. WHITLEY, the Chairman of Ways and Means, proceeded to the Table, and, after Prayers, took the Chair as Deputy-Speaker, pursuant to the Standing Order.