§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, I am sure your Lordships will have learned with regret, from the Motion which I have placed on the Paper, that the noble Earl who presides over our Committees is prevented for a time through illness from discharging those duties which he has for so many years performed greatly to his own credit, and, I believe, entirely to the satisfaction of the House. My noble friend has been advised by his medical attendants to seek rest for a time, and, in those circumstances, it is necessary to make arrangements for the performance of his duties until his return. I beg to move the Motion standing in my name, and I feel 1140 sure every member of your Lordships' House will join with me in hoping that the noble Earl will soon be restored to health and able to again take his place at the Table.
§ Moved, That the Lord Balfour be appointed to take the Chair in the Committee of the Whole House, and in all Committees upon Private Bills in the absence of the Chairman of Committees from illness.—(The Marquess of Lansdowne.)
§ EARL SPENCERMy Lords, I am sure everyone in the House will join with the noble Marquess in the regret which he has expressed at the illness of the noble Earl the Chairman of Committees, and in the hope that the noble Earl may be very soon restored to health, so that he may again occupy the position which he fills so admirably, and to the entire satisfaction of the House. We shall all be glad to support the proposition of the noble Marquess, that, in the absence of Lord Morley, Lord Balfour of Burleigh should discharge the duties of Chairman of Committees.
THE EARL OF CORKMy Lords, I hope I may be allowed to join in the feeling expressed by the noble Marquess opposite and by my noble friend the Leader of the Opposition. I regret that for some little time to come Lord Morley will be prevented from occupying the place which he so well fills in this House. Having been for so many years closely connected with railway and other I matters, I feel deeply his absence from the House. He has discharged his duties most ably, and I know perfectly well the feeling of affection which is entertained towards him by everybody who has been brought into contact with him. I know also the feeling towards him of the railway officials who have had to deal with him, and I feel certain it is the hearty wish of all that the noble Earl may soon make his reappearance as Chairman of Committees—a position which he has so admirably filled for many years past.
THE DUKE OF ABERCORNMy Lords, I should like to be allowed, as a humble Member on this side of the House, to say that we all deeply regret the absence of the noble Earl the Chairman 1141 of Committees, and trust that before long he may be restored to perfect health and again be in his place.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGHMy Lords, I am sure the House will allow me to express very humbly my deep sense of the honour which has been conferred upon me, and the confidence which is placed in me, in allowing me to take this place for a time. It has come upon me with great suddenness, for I only knew of the possibility of it twenty-four hours ago. I will do my best to carry on the work for the time being in the same spirit, so far as I can imitate it, as the noble Earl who has filled the position for the last fifteen years, and no one will be more glad than myself when the noble Earl is able to resume the duties.