In the debate on the Address yesterday week Lord Robert
Cecil moved an amendment expressing regret that there was no mention in the King's Speech of any intention on the part of the Government to reform the procedure of the House. In a very interesting and able speech Lord Robert Cecil dealt with the decline of the prestige of the House of Commons owing to the suppression of the private member, and the restriction of debate by the guillotine and kangaroo closure. He suggested as remedies that the Committee stage in the Commons should be abolished ; that every Bill should be sent to a Grand Committee; and that there should be an advisory Committee to assist the chairman in dealing with obstruction. In conclusion, he asked the Government to appoint a committee, on which there would be a preponderance of unofficial members, to consider the subject.
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