In Tuesday's debate, which was, on the whole, of no
great moment, the most interesting feature was a speech, warmly in support of the new rules, by Sir Robert Reid, the Attorney. General of Lord Rosebery's Government in 1894. Finally, on Thursday, the debate came to an end, after one or two conces- sions from Mr. Balfour,—especially a concession that the right should be given to the Government to grant an extension of not more than three days to the twenty days to be devoted to Supply, and an admission that the mode of applying the guillotine on the last day of Supply should be considered by a Special Committee, and then referred back to the whole House with the recommendations of that Committee. Thursday's debate was enlivened by a carefully irrelevant and very amusing speech from Mr. Augustine Birrell, who declared himself in favour of letting Friday be a day on which no private Member need attend the evening sitting of that "paradise of bores," the House of Commons,—a point which, as the Speaker reminded him, had already been settled, and settled against him, before he rose. Ultimately, Mr. Balfour's resolution was carried by 202 votes against 65,—majority, 137.
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