§ COLONEL ALEXANDERrose to call attention to the curious manner in which the Committee was nominated. Its object was to inquire into the grievances of Out-door Officers at Customs Out-ports, and, naturally, it would be supposed that the Members nominated would represent seaports, or boroughs, or counties touching the sea. But he found that out of the 14 names not more than three or four were those of Members representing counties or boroughs bordering on the sea. All the rest were inland Representatives. It might be supposed that those who made the selection were utterly ignorant of geography, and, perhaps, had the impression that such a place as Horsham bordered on the sea. He was always of the opinion that a Committee should be largely composed of Members interested in the subject of inquiry; but what interest could Horsham have in Outdoor Customs Officers? Then, again, he noticed that out of the 14 there was only one Scotch Representative. He had no objection to any particular names; but he should oppose the nomination of the hon. Member for Wolverhampton (Mr. H. H. Fowler), and move, instead, the name of the hon. Member for Greenock (Mr. Stewart).
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member is at liberty to oppose any name; but if he wishes to add another name, he cannot do so without Notice.
§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISHsaid, it could not be admitted that only those should be represented who had 223 the more direct interest. The interest of the officers was, of course, to have their salaries raised; but if the Committee were to consist of Representatives of this class, the interest of the taxpayer would be in danger of being overlooked.
§ COLONEL ALEXANDERremarked, that there were only three names of Representatives of seaport towns.
MR. ROBWOODmoved that the following be nominated Members of the Committee:—Mr. Bellingham, Mr. Wilbraham Egerton, and Sir Henry Fletcher.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Motion made, and Question put, "That Mr. Henry H. Fowler be one other Member of the said Committee."
§ The House divided:—Ayes 38; Noes 6: Majority 32.—(Div. List, No. 236.)
§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That the following be Members of the Committee:—Mr. LEVESON GOWER, Mr. HENEAGE, Mr. JOHN HOLMS, Colonel MAKINS, Mr. SLAGG, Mr. STOKER, Mr. WATNEY, and Mr. NORWOOD.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ MR. WARTONreminded the Speaker that he had not called over the name of the right hon. Member for Montrose (Mr. Baxter).
§ MR. SPEAKERThe name was not moved by the hon. Member for Hull.
§ Ordered, That Five be the quorum.