Parliament

The debate on the Address being over, the real business of the session now commences : the committees of supply and ways and means are set up; bills are introduced; motions are made; corn mittees are appointed ; and both houses are, at once, in full activ ity. The lord chancellor presides over the deliberations of the Lords, and the Speaker over those of the Commons.

Members claim to be heard in debate by rising in their places. When more than one member rises at the same time, in the Lords the member who is to speak is called by the house, in the Com mons by the Speaker. Every member, when called, is bound to speak to the question before the house; and calls to order are very frequent. A member may speak once only to any question, except to explain, or upon a point of order, or to reply when a member has himself submitted a motion to the house, or when an amendment has been moved which constitutes a new question. He may not refer to past debates, nor to debates in the other house; nor may he refer to any other member by name, or use offensive and disorderly language against the king, either House of parlia ment, or other members. Members offending against any of the rules of debate are called to order by the Speaker, or the attention of the chair is directed to the breach of order by another member.

At the conclusion of a debate, unless the motion be with drawn, or the question (on being put from the chair) be agreed to or negatived, the house proceeds to a division, which effects the twofold purpose of ascertaining the numbers supporting and opposing the question, and of recording the names of members voting on either side. On each side of the house is a division lobby ; and in the Lords the "contents" and in the Commons the "ayes" are directed to go to the right, and the "not contents" or "noes" to the left. In case of an equality of numbers, in the Lords the question is negatived in virtue of the ancient rule "semper praesumitur pro negante"; in the Commons the Speaker gives the casting vote. (See also PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE; SPEAKER.) Committees.—For the sake of convenience in the transaction of business there are several kinds of committees. Of these the most important is a committee of the whole house. In this com mittee are discussed the several provisions of bills, resolutions and other matters requiring the consideration of details. In the Lords the chair is taken by the chairman of committees; and in the Com mons by the chairman of the committee of ways and means.

In the House of Commons there are now six grand committees.

They were founded upon the valuable principle of a distribution of labours among several bodies of members.

In select committees both houses find the means of delegating inquiries, and the consideration of other matters, which could not be undertaken by the whole house. The reports of such com mittees have formed the groundwork of many important measures; and bills are often referred to them which receive a fuller examina tion than could be expected in a committee of the whole house. Power is given to such committees, when required, to send for persons, papers and records. In the Lords the power of examin ing witnesses upon oath has always been exercised, but it was not until 1871 that the same power was extended to the Commons, by statute.

Communications Between the Two Houses, etc.

In the course of the proceedings of parliament, frequent communications between the two houses become necessary. Of these the most usual and convenient form is that of a message. Formerly the Lords sent a message by two judges or two masters in chancery, and the Commons by a deputation of their own members; but since 1855 messages have been taken from one house to the other by one of the clerks at the table. A more formal communi cation is effected by a conference, in reference to amendments to bills or other matters; but this proceeding has been in great measure superseded by the more simple form of a message. The two houses are also occasionally brought into communication by means of joint committees and of select committees communicat ing with each other.

Communications, in various forms, are also conducted between the Crown and both houses of parliament. Of these the most important are those in which the king, in person or by commis sion, is present in the House of Lords to open or prorogue parlia ment, or to give the royal assent to bills. His Majesty is then in direct communication with the three estates of the realm, as sembled in the same chamber. The king also sends messages to both houses under the royal sign manual, when all the members are uncovered. Verbal messages are also sent, and the king's pleasure, or royal recommendation or consent to bills or other matters, signified through a minister of the Crown or a privy councillor. Messages under the sign manual are acknowledged by addresses, except where grants of money are proposed, in which case no address is presented by the Commons, who ac knowledge them by making provision accordingly.