[368:2] To distinguish between the two classes of standing orders the numbers of those relating to public business are printed in the parliamentary papers in bold-faced type. But in the footnotes to this book those relating to private business are referred to as S.O.P.B. The references are to the standing orders as revised in 1903, because a number of changes were made in that year in pursuance of the recommendations of the Select Committee of 1902. The statements in this chapter relate to the procedure in the House of Commons; for the practice in the House of Lords is so nearly the same in almost all essential points, that it is enough to indicate the more important differences in the text or in the notes. A memorandum on the differences in detail may be found in the Report of the Committee on Private Business (Com. Papers, 1902, VII., 321, App. 15).
[369:1] The rules about notice are contained in S.O.P.B. 3-22. See also May, 680-81.
[369:2] S.O.P.B. 23-31.
[369:3] Ibid., 32-34.
[369:4] Ibid., 35-37, 55-59. By the so-called Wharncliffe Order a special meeting of the members of any company must be held to authorise or ratify an application for a private bill. Ibid., 62-68.
[369:5] S.O.P.B. 69-78.
[369:6] May, 682; cf. Clifford, 788-95.
[369:7] S.O.P.B. 69-78, 230-32. May, 683-91.
[370:1] The legislative procedure in the House is regulated by Part IV. (193-226) of the Standing Orders Relating to Private Business; the conduct of the Private Bill Office by Part V. (227-49); the judicial procedure before private bill committees, with the supervision thereof by the officers of the House, and the prescription of provisions that must, or must not, be inserted, by Part III. (69-162).
[370:2] Rep. of Sel. Com. on Priv. Business, Com. Papers, 1888, XVI., 1, Q. 340; Rep. of a similar Com., Com. Papers, 1902, VII., 321, Qs. 193, 1957-5. Formerly many more private bills began in the Commons than in the Lords, but now the numbers are not very far from the same. Ibid., Q. 337, and App. 8.