HC Deb 09 May 1918 vol 105 cc2418-20

Return presented relative thereto [ordered 9th May; Mr. Baldwin]; to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. [No. 57.]

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.

Whereupon Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER, pursuant to the Order of the House of the 13th February, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."

Sir J. D. REES

I only rise to say that, though I was waiting in the Central Library to vote, and was anxious to vote, I did not hear the bell. It might be possible to ascribe that to some extent to my over-immersion in the letters I was writing, or to some fault of hearing, but as other Members—I think two others—were left behind in the same way, it seems that there must be something defective in the manner of signifying to hon. Members that a Division is proceeding. I was absent a very short time, and when I came back I found that the Division was just over. There was no call from any quarter that I heard. It may be that does not generally happen in the Central Library. Perhaps that is natural, but the ringing of the bell, I submit, must have been imperfect if several Members were left out, and as one comes here for the purpose of voting, and this was an important Division, I take this opportunity of bringing the matter to the notice of the Chair.

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER (Mr. Whitley)

I will direct that the bells be tested.

Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-two minutes after Eight o'clock till Monday next, pursuant to the Order of the House of the 13th February