§ Mr. BURDETT-COUTTSMay I, Sir, ask you with respect to the rule as to questions. As to the number of questions' permitted to be put by each individual member, I understood you to say, Sir, that the limit was eight questions. As I apprehend, that is not a regulation of the House in any form, either written or unwritten. Is it not the case that the matter is at your discretion, and can you see your way in these times to limit the number of questions submitted by each individual Member to not more than two or three at a sitting?
§ Mr. SPEAKERMy duty is to carry out the laws of the House, whether written or unwritten, and I think it is an unwritten law; at all events, it is an old-standing custom for all that, and I could not of my own responsibility forbid the Member's questions appearing upon the Paper. If the House were to pass a Resolution to the effect that no Member should put down more than two, or three, or four questions, whatever might be the number decided, I would be able to carry that Resolution out, but I do not think I should take upon myself a further limitation of the number of questions.
§ Mr. DEVLINAs this question has been raised as to the number of questions put upon the Paper to-day, I should like to point out that there has been an accumulation of questions during the past fortnight, and that is why a large number of questions appear on the Paper in my name.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is quite correct. Of course, in consequence of the rather broken sittings we have had, and the uncertainty as to the replies, the number of questions has rolled up, and that accounts for some which stand in the names of hon. Members.