§ Considered in Committee [Progress 28th April].
§ [Sir SAMUEL STOREY in the Chair]
§ 10.35 a.m.
The Deputy-ChairmanBefore I call on the right hon. and learned Member for Warwick and Leamington (Sir J. Hobson), I have a short statement to make.
At the beginning of the proceedings of the Committee on Wednesday, 28th April, the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Mawby) called my attention to the fact that 40 Members were not present, but I refused to direct strangers to withdraw and to count the Committee. In doing so, I had in mind the statement in Erskine May, page 324:
The House is presumed to be made at the beginning of a sitting.I now realise that the House is made when the Speaker takes the Chair after Prayers and that when the hon. Member for Totnes called my attention to the fact that 40 Members were not present I should have directed strangers to withdraw and counted the Committee. I regret that I did not do so, and I apologise to the hon. Member and to the Committee.
§ Mr. Ray Mawby (Totnes)I am extremely grateful to you, Sir Samuel, for your Ruling. May I now direct your attention to the fact that there are fewer than 40 Members present?
§ Notice taken that 40 Members were not present;
1280§ Committee counted, and, 40 Members being present—
§ Mr. Emrys Hughes (South Ayrshire)On a point of order. May we take it for granted that, owing to your error, Sir Samuel—and we all admit that we make errors in this place—you have no intention of resigning?
§ Sir John Hobson (Warwick and Leamington)I am sure that the Committee is grateful to you, Sir Samuel, for your explanation. We all appreciate and fully understand how difficult it is to give Rulings off the cuff.