20 MARCH 1886, Page 1

Lord Hartington has been appointed Chairman of the Com- mittee

on Procedure, and the Government has laid before it its proposals, which are, in the main, those of the previous Administration. Their idea is to divide the whole House into Bureaux, on the French plan, and remit Bills to them, after the second reading, to report on. The House is to sit from 2 p.m. till 12.30, but is to rise between 7 and 9, a rule which will make it very difficult for London business-men to attend. Notices of questions are to be given in writing only, and notices of motion only after questions have been disposed of. These are mere details, though they may prove important; but, apparently, a form of Closure is also introduced. That is to say, a motion may be made at closing-time that there be no adjournment, and that the question be put, in which case, "the Speaker shall not leave the chair until the division on such motion shall have been taken." This would enable a Government with a majority to bring debate to a close, and is so far good ; but we do not know why there should be such a limitation as to hours. What is wanted is a rule that any of her Majesty's principal Secretaries of State may move at any time "that the question be now put," and that the House shall vote thereon without amendment or debate. Nothing short of this will kill obstruction, and only a responsible Minister ought to be entrusted with the power.