Sir C. P. Ilbert

Levin Daily Chronicle, 24 February 1917, Page 3

Sir C. P. Ilbert

OLERK WHO SELDOM SPEAKS. Sir Courtney P. Ilbert, Clerk of the House of Commons, whose illness has caused much regret at Westminster, where he is exceedingly popular, probably possesses a greater knowledge of Parliamentary procedure than any man living. It was fourteen years since lie succeeded Sir Archibald Milman, and all members of the House of Com. mons recognise the great debt they owe to the Clerk at the Table.

As clerk of the House he has a seat just below the Speaker's chair, and is responsible for the records which are accepted by all authorities as evidence of what is done by the Commoners at St. Stephen's. It was only one of his duties formally to introduce a new member to the Speaker with the familiar phrase, "Mi 1 Jones, sir, South Blanksliire," giving the member's name and constituency. FROM BALLIOL TO ST. STEPHEN'S

In his early days Sir Courtney, who is seventy-four years of age ,achieved something of a record in scholarships, winning the Hertford, Ireland Craven, and Eldon. He was a Balliol man, and -became successively Scholar, Fellow and Bursar of that college. After a period of service in India Sir Courteney was made parliamentary! counsel to the Treasury and was ultimately •appointed clerk of the House, a post which is a Crown appointment for life, carrying a salary of £2000 a year and a furnished residence within the Houses of Parliament.

Sir Courteney, who 16 a Devonian, whimsically describes himself as the Commons' "professional > mute, obliged even to refrain from strong language through long and dreary nights of debate." SURPRISING THE PREACHER. He loves a good story and is fond of relating the following amusing incident which occurred in a church. During the morning the organist was annoyed beoause the organblower kept working the lever noisily after he had finished playing. A famous preacher had come down from London to preach and the organist scribbled a note to the blower and sent it around by a choir-boy. who misunderstanding the instructions put it into the hands of the preacher. Tlirnote was as follows:—

"Perhaps you will kindly stop when I tell you to. The people have come to hear my music, not your noise.'" Lady Ilbert, whom he married in 1874, was a niece of the famous Dean Bradley, of Westminster.