§ 46. Sir J. LONSDALEasked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the number of Members of this House who are on active service in the Army and Navy, and therefore prevented from attending the sittings of the House, he will take the necessary steps to enable such Members to vote by proxy in Divisions, so that the full sense of the House may be collected upon the important questions which come before it for decision?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe House of Commons is a deliberative assembly. I have always understood that it was believed, and I have tried myself to 451 believe, that the votes of Members in this House are, if not determined, at least influenced by Parliamentary discussion. The adoption of the hon. Member's suggestion would amount, not only to a denial of the utility, but to an assertion of the futility of debate.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Peers voted by proxy until comparatively recent times?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIn that and some other respects we do not propose to follow the example.