FATHERS AND BABIES OF PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 359, 9 April 1910, Page 9

FATHERS AND BABIES OF PARLIAMENT.

The title of "Father" of the British House of Commons is greatly prized. It is given to the M.P. who has been a member of the House for the longest period without interrnptiom. Mr. Gladstone was never the "Father," for though he was in Parliament for sixtytwo years, there had been a brief interlude that spoilt his claims. For many years Mr. Charles Pelham Vil'iiiTs was the "Father." in view of over half a century's representation of Wolverhampton. Next came Mr. C. R. M. Talbot, who was first elected for Glamorganshire in 1832. Among those who have been "Father" of the House of Commons in recent years are Sir Michael Hicks-Beach (now Viscount St. Aldwyn). who was first elected a member in 1864, for East Gloucestershire, and continued to represent that constituency until his elevation to till' peerage in' 1 <10(1—a period of forty-two years.

Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman became "Father" of the House, simultaneously with becoming Premier—a unique double distinction.

Prior to him in long record must be mentioned Mr. W. W. Beach, who was first elected M.P. for North Hants in 1857. Another "Father" was the Right Hon. fl. H. Finch, who sat for Rutlandshire for forty years.

THE " BABY " OF THE HOUSE. The youngest M.P. in age —not in the years oY M.P.-ship—is called the "Baby.'' In the House of Commons elected in 18(15 Viscount Milton was the "Baby," being twenty-three years old. He is the present Earl Fitzwillian, and has had the strange experience of an obituary of himself! A witty friend called the incident a case of •'•Milton's 'Paradise Lost.'" Tn the next Parliament the "Baby was Viscount Tumour, who was elected in 1004 (at a bye-election) for Horsham. T-le was only' just- over twentyt-one years old.

Tn the House of Commons recently dissolved the "Baby" was Lord W odehouse. wlfo was onlv twenty-three when elected for Mid-Norfolk. Other young members were Lord Dalmeny, Earl AA interton (formerly Viscount Tumour), and Mr. Harold Pearson.