Lord Barrington on Friday stated the resolutions with respect to
"strangers" in the House of Commons which he intends to move on the 4th May. He proposes that the House should not enter- tain any complaint about the publication of its proceedings, ex- cept when the proceedings are avowedly secret, or in case of wilful misrepresentation of them ; that the Speaker, for the prevention of disorder, may direct the exclusion of visitors ; and that apart from the Speaker's authority, "strangers shall not be directed to withdraw except upon a resolution of which notice shall have been given and agreed to without amendment or debate." The first two rules are excellent, and the last rule is intended, we presume, to enable the House to exclude strangers on an emergency and without delay; but it would not in excited times secure its end, 88 any two Members could move that Lord Hartington's Standing Orders be suspended, and debate that. Would it not be simpler to vest the power of exclusion in the Speaker alone, the House retaining, of course, its right of overruling his action? Any debate raised upon his course would be taken after the House had been cleared, and secrecy would be maintained. The House can trust the Speaker, or remove him: or he might take the sense of the House previously in the usual way. by " Aye " and "No," without debate.
