The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-03-10 00:00:00

LORD DIINRAVEN AND 'I'HE PEERS.

In the HOUSE OF LORDS on March 6th the Earl of
Dunraven informed Lord Fitzgerald that the announce-
ment published on Saturday as to the objects of the
bill which he was about to introduce for the reform of
the House of Lords was not authentic, and that the ex-
traordinary propositions contained in the announce-
ment did not represent his views on the subject. Indeed,
he observed, he had no desire to lose his liberty in a
lunatic asylum or his head on Tower-hill.

BILLS FORWARDED.
The County Courts Consolidated Bill, the Mortmain
and Charitable Uses Bill, and the Pharmacy Acts
Amendment Acts Bill passed through committee, a
new clause being inserted in the last-named measure
requiring chemists' managing assistants to be duly
qualified.

LIEUTENANTS IN THE NAVY.
Replying to Lord Sudeley, Lord Elphinstone stated
that the number of lieutenants in the navy had been
increased to 1000, and that it was obviously impossible
for all these to pass through the class of commanders,
which was limited to 265. The age of compulsory re-
tirement was 45.

Their lordships rose at twenty minutes past five
o'clock.

BRISTOL WATER BILL.

In the HOUSE OF ;COMMONS, the Bristol Water Bill
was read a second time, after considerable discussion,
by 148 to 130.
RING JA JA.-QUESTION ASKING.

In answer to Mr. Redmond, Sir J. Fergusson ex•
plained that the portion of the Treaty of 1884 which
King Ja Ja had been convicted of violating was that
which precluded him from interfering with markets out-
side his territory, and that the case against him was to a
large extent substantiated by his own admissions. A series
of supplemental questions having been pressed by Mr. A.
O'Connor, Mr. W. H. Smith appealed to the Chair
whether debate could be carried on under the form of
question and answer. The Speaker, in reply, depre-
cated the practice which was growing up of making
statements and counter statements under cover of
questions of which notice ought to be given.

TELEPHONE UNDERTABINOS.

Mr. Raikes informed Mr. Provand that no scheme for
the purchase of the undertakings of the telephone com-
panies was under conSideration or was contemplated by
the Government.

LONDON DRAINAGE.
In answer to a question by Mr. Kenyon, Mr.
Matthews stated that the method of dealing with the
sewage of the Metropolis was outside the terms of
reference to the Royal Commission on the Metropolitan
Board of Works, which, however, would embrace any
alleged irregularities in the transactions of the Board
in connection with the sewage question.

T/IE HOUSE OF LORDS.
Notice was given by Mr. Bartley that on Mr.
Labouchere's motion with regard to the House of Lords
he would move an amendment in favour of diaqualifying
from sitting and voting, or taking part in the proceed-
ings of Parliament, any hereditary members of Parlia-
ment convicted of crime, bankrupt, or guilty of conduct
amounting in the judgment of their peers to a scandal.
THE PROCEDURE RULES. •

The House having resumed the consideration of the
13th Procedure Rule, which provides for the appoint-
ment of Standing Committees it was agreed that the
Standing Committee on Trade should also deal with
bills relating to the agricultural and fishing interests;
and the proviso as to the number of members of Stand-
ing Committees was struck out.
An amendment proposed by Sir G. Campbell for the
constitution of a Standing Committee for the con-
sideration of bills relating to Scotland gave rise to a
prolonged discussion, carried on chiefly by Scotch
members, in the course of which Mr. Gladstone warmly
supported the proposal, on the ground that the House
had not time foi the adequate transaction of Scotch
business, and that, moreover, it had great difficulty in
arriving at what Scotch opinion was upon Scotch ques-
tions. Mr. A. Balfour, anticipating tlipit the result of
the amendment which had been made in the rules
of the House would be to facilitate the progress of
Scotch as well as English business, objected to the in-
troduction of the novel principle that only the repre-
sentatives of localities should deal with the interests of
those localities.
The amendment was also opposed by the Lord
cate, Mr. Raikes, and Mr. Courtney, and supportk
Sir G. Trevelyan and Mr. Bryce. On a division it
negatived by 214 to 137; and the further consideration
of the Procedure Rules was adjourned.
The House adjourned at ten minutes past twelve
o'clock.