This I take it must have been the intention. If for any consecutive period of six months, whether on account of his going abroad or doing other work which prevents him from being a member of the House, he is to be disqualified or that he should cease to be a minister, I think it could not have been the intention. What the intention of this clause must have been is that if a Minister is, after his appointment as Minister, not a member for six consecutive months, whether as originally not elected, or has not been able to find subsequently election to the House, he should cease to be a member. This, Sir, is merely a consequence of the principle of collective responsibility of a Minister, which requires every Minister to be a member of one or the other House of Parliament. As such I do not think it is necessary to present any elaborate case in support of this amendment. I commend it to the House.
