HC Deb 08 July 1889 vol 337 cc1696-7
MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

I wish to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when he proposes to give notice of the names of the Members of the Committee on the Royal Grants; and whether any opportunity will be afforded of putting down Amendments?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

I hope to be able this evening to place on the Paper the names of the Committee, and the Motion for the appointment of the Committee will be taken to-morrow.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that if an hon. Member desires to alter one of the names proposed it will be necessary to give notice beforehand?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

Any hon. Member can obtain from the Clerk at the Table the information to enable him to do so if he desires.

MR. STOREY (Sunderland)

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to give us such notice of the number of the Committee as will enable us, in accordance with the regulations of the House, to give notice of Amendments thereto?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

I wish to act in accordance with the wish of the great majority of the House, and with perfect fairness to hon. Members who may have any reason to differ from the view of the Government. But it appeared to me, looking at the period of the Session, that it was desirable we should proceed with reasonable speed in the consideration of this question. I will put the names on the Paper this evening. They will be in the possession of the Clerks at the Table at au early hour, and any hon. Gentleman who may wish to see those names will at once be furnished with them. Then it will be in the power of any hon. Member to give notice of any opposition or change he may desire. But if it is desired by the great majority of the House that the nomination should be postponed I should yield, although I think it would be much more to the general convenience that we should proceed.

SIR J. GOLDSMID

Would it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to give the number and the names of the Committee now?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

I am sorry to say that I have not received the names from the usual sources of information.