PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE. In Great Britain the procedure of the imperial parliament—by which phrase is signified so much of the conduct of its business as is controlled by each House and is not regulated by statute—does not for the most part depend upon any established code, but is customary and, like the common law which it resembles, is based upon vari ous decisions and precedents. In the paragraphs that follow the procedure of the Imperial House of Commons is specially de scribed but, except where otherwise stated, they may be taken as descriptive also of the procedure of the House of Lords.
The earliest parliamentary journals now extant are those of the reign of King Edward VI., and an examination of them indicates that already at that time parliamentary procedure was established in its main principles. As late as 1844 there were only 14 stand ing orders of the House of Commons and, although the number has now been increased to over ioo, these orders are largely re strictive in character or deal with particular matters, and would afford little help in an attempt to construct a code of procedure. Recourse must therefore be had to the precedents entered in the journals, to the decisions of speakers and chairmen, sometimes recorded in the journals but more usually to be found in reports of parliamentary debates, to tradition and to the opinions of per sons experienced in parliamentary proceedings. From all these sources it becomes clear that parliamentary procedure, in its general form and in its details, is directed towards the reconcilia tion of two often conflicting objects, the progress of business and freedom of discussion.
Parliament is summoned, prorogued and dissolved by the Crown, but the sittings of either House may be adjourned from time to time by order of that House, subject to the statutory right of the Crown to summon both Houses to meet, at not less than six days' notice, during such adjournment. The daily sittings of each House, and the arrangement of its business, are controlled by that House. Under present arrangements both Houses nor
mally meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the House of Commons meets also on Fridays, while parlia ment is in session. In both Houses private business (i.e., business connected with the passage of private bills) occupies the first part of the sitting, questions to ministers of the Crown concern ing public affairs occupy the second part of the sitting, and public business and debate together occupy the remainder of the sitting. At half-past eleven o'clock P.M. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednes days and Thursdays, and at half-past four o'clock P.M. on Fri days, unless it has previously adjourned, the House of Commons stands adjourned by standing order. At four o'clock P.M. on Fridays the proceedings on any business then under considera tion are interrupted. At eleven o'clock P.M. on the other four sitting days the proceedings on any business then under considera tion are interrupted, unless it is exempt from the provisions of the standing order which regulates the hours of sitting. Thereaf ter, no opposed business may be taken, unless it is exempt from the provisions of this standing order.
Proceedings taken in pursuance of any act of parliament, or upon any bill originating in committee of ways and means, or upon the report of any committee authorizing the expenditure of public money other than the committee of supply, are exempt from the provisions of this standing order; and any other busi ness may be so exempted by an order of the House made after notice by a minister of the Crown. After the interruption of business, or the conclusion of exempt business, any business ap pointed for the sitting may be taken, if unopposed : any business not disposed of before the end of the sitting stands over until the next sitting or until such other sitting as the member in charge of the business may appoint. The quorum of the House of Lords is three, and of the House of Commons 4o.