§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONsaid, he objected to the large number of Members, twenty-one, named as the Committee. The former practice of the House was to limit the number of Select Committees to fifteen, and it would he better rather to diminish that number than increase it; but lately, and especially in the present Session, the practice of appointing Committees of much larger numbers had grown up. A Committee had already been appointed of twenty-one Members. That under consideration would be the second of the same number, and he had seen the list of a Committee, not yet named, that was to consist of thirty. Such a practice led to great inconvenience. There were fewer to choose from, the attendance was less regular, and he believed the business was not so well done as by a smaller number.
§ MR. C. P. VILLIERSsaid, the investigation to be undertaken by the Committee was not an ordinary one. It was desirable to include hon. Members who had had experience of the operation of the Poor Law system in all parts of the country. A great number of hon. Members had applied to have their names put on 867 the Committee, and two former Committees on the same question, had consisted of twenty-one. The number, therefore, was not without precedent, and he had heard regret expressed that the Committee was not larger.
§ Ordered,
§ That the Select Committee on Poor Relief do consist of Twenty-one Members:—Mr. SOTHERON ESTCOURT, Mr. BAZLEY, Mr. AYRTON, Lord FER-MOY, Mr. VILLIERS, Mr. WALPOLE, Mr. EDWARD PLEYDELL BOUVERIE, Sir ARTHUR BULLER, Mr. KEKEWICH, Colonel PENNANT, Lord STANLEY, Lord ROBERT CECIL, Sir WILLIAM JOLLIFEE, Mr. LOWE, SIR JOHN ACTON, Lord EDWARD HOWARD, Sir GEORHE BOWTER, Mr. CAIRD, Mr. ALDERMAN SIDNEY, Mr. LYALL, and Mr. MONCKTON MILNES:— Power to send for persons, papers, and records; Five to be the quorum.
§ House adjourned at a quarter after Twelve o'clock, till Monday next.