10 NOVEMBER 1950, Page 3

A Private Members' Victory

The defeat of the Government in the House of Commons on Wednesday on a question of procedure—the reintroduction of the un-miqutes rule,- under which private members can introduce Bills, With discussion limited to one 'brief speech on either side—is, of course, of no political consequence. The division was unexpected, and no whips had been issued. But it is interesting to find the rights of private members upheld by the Op-position and resisted by the Government The reason, of course, is that the Government feels it has to keep a tight hold on the time of the House. But there Should be plenty of time available this session, and the claims of a democratic procedure have their place in the House of Commons.