§ Mr. SpeakerI have been considering the existing position as to the right of moving a Motion or Amendment without a seconder. The previous custom was that this could only be done by a Privy Counsellor. This was changed by my predecessor largely on the grounds that the Labour Party, in wartime, acting as a constitutional Opposition, had so few Privy Counsellors that a rigid adherence to the rule was unfair. Times have changed, and I am now desirous of returning to the old procedure. It has always been understood that a junior Minister not being a Privy Counsellor could move an Amendment or Motion incidental to Government Business without a seconder, but if any further exception is permitted I do not see how the rule requiring a seconder can be maintained. I therefore propose in future to enforce the rule that, unless moved by a Privy Counsellor, a Motion or Amendment requires to be seconded—with the recognised exception in favour of junior Ministers not yet Privy Counsellors.