Other Changes in Methods.—It is only possible here to refer briefly to some other changes in the procedure of the house which altered in various respects its character as a business-like assembly. The chief of these is as regards the hours. On Mon days, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays the house meets at 2.45 P.M., "questions" beginning at 3 and ending (apart from urgency) at 3.45; and opposed business ends at 11. On Fridays the house meets at 12 noon, and opposed business is suspended at 5 P.M. this is the only day when Government business has not precedence, and private members' bills have the first call, though at 8.15 P.M. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays up to Easter and on Wednesdays up to Whitsuntide the business is interrupted in order that private members' motions may be taken. These arrange ments, which only date from 1906, represent a considerable change from the old days before 1879 when the standing order was formed that no opposed business, with certain exceptions, should be taken after 12.30 A.M., or 1888 when the closing hour was fixed at midnight. In fact the hours of the house have be come generally earlier. Another important change has been made as regards motions for the adjournment of the house, which used to afford an opportunity to the private members at any time to discuss matters of urgent importance.
Since 1902 no motion for the adjournment of the house can be made until all "questions" have been disposed of, and then, if 40 members support it, the 'debate takes place at 8.15 P.M. This
alteration has much modified the character of the debates on such motions, which used to be taken when feelings were hot, whereas now there is time for reflection. In other respects the most noticeable thing in the recent evolution of the House of Com mons has been its steady loss of power, as an assembly, in face of the control of the Government and party leaders. In former times the private members had far larger opportunities for in troducing and carrying bills, which now have no chance, unless the Government affords "facilities"; and the great function of debating "supply" has largely been restricted by the closure, under which millions of money are voted without debate. The house is still ruled by technical rules of procedure which are, in the main, dilatory and obstructive, and hamper the expression of views which are distasteful to the Whips or to the Govern ment, who can by them arrange the business so as to suit their convenience. The most striking feature in procedural develop ment in recent years is the almost complete appropriation to "Government business" of parliamentary time. As an independ ent source of legislation, the private member has, in consequence, virtually disappeared and, unless the Government choose to adopt as their own a bill introduced by him, it has no chance of finding its way on to the statute-book. (H. C.; X.)