§ 36. Mr. Woodburnasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the time remaining for private Members in the business arrangements of the House may be lost to the Members interested by the calling of a count and other Members withdrawing from the Chamber; and whether he is prepared to propose in future Motions such alterations to Standing Orders as will guarantee to hon. Members successful in ballots the opportunity to move their resolutions as intended by the House.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)I would remind the right hon. Gentleman that the Select Committee on Procedure which reported recently did not make any recommendation limiting the power to claim a Count.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the Prime Minister aware that the other Friday an hon. Member who had drawn success in the Ballot was nearly deprived of his opportunity by this tactic? Is it not rather mean on the part of other Members who are not interested deliberately to prevent an hon. Member having the opportunity with which the House wants to provide him?
§ The Prime MinisterDuring the present Session private Members' business has been taken on thirteen Fridays. On only one occasion has the House been counted out. The right to call a count is a very long-established practice, dating in the case of this House to 1641, and some form of quorum is common to nearly all assemblies.