§ MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)I beg to ask the hon. Baronet the Member for Somersetshire (Wells Division) whether the General Committee on Railway and Canal Bills has arrived at any conclusion with respect to the cross-examination of witnesses by counsel before Committees which he can state for the information of the House?
§ SIR RICHARD PAGET (Somerset, Wells)I have to inform the hon. Member that the Resolution at which the Committee arrived is in the following terms:—
On consideration of the Resolution passed by the General Committee on Railway and Canal Bills in 1861, to the effect ' That Counsel shall not cross-examine a witness unless be has been present during the entire examination in chief—and That Counsel shall not re-examine unless he has been present during the entire cross-examination,' Resolved that the enforcement of such a Resolution is undoubtedly within the privilege of any Railway Committee for the better order of their proceedings.