§ Mr. MOLTENOI rise to a point of Order in regard to the Notices of Motion. I am sure hon. Members yesterday, in making their arrangements for to-day, were not aware that the ballot would be taken to-day. It has taken many by surprise. It so happens that this is a Private Members' day; on that ground also it seems to me a very inconvenient day. I would like to ask whether the ballot could not be taken on some other day?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe position is this: The Standing Order says, "This House will, in future, appoint the Committees of Supply and Ways and Means at the commencement of every Session, so soon as an Address has been agreed to, in answer to His Majesty's Speech."
About eleven o'clock last night, directly the Address was agreed to, the House ordered that the Committees of Supply and of Ways and Means should be set up. That being so, it appears upon the Paper to-day, and it becomes necessary to take the ballot. If no ballot were taken anybody would be a liberty to come forward, and the first that got to the Table would be able to put his name down for a Motion on going into Committee of Supply. The only way to regulate the matter and to arrive at some sort of order in which the Motions are taken is by ballot. I may also add that notice that there would be a ballot was given at eleven o'clock last night. It was hung up in as many conspicuous places as possible. The cards were printed in anticipation and put up all over the House, so that Members, before going home, might be warned that the ballot would be taken. Notice also appears on the Blue Paper circulated this morning.