HC Deb 07 June 1825 vol 13 c1063
Mr. Littleton

said, that after all they had lately heard respecting the conduct of Committees on Private Bills, he was satisfied the House would receive favourably any attempt to remedy so great and so universally admitted an evil. With that view, it was his intention to submit to the attention of the House a measure, which he thought would place the private business of the House upon a footing favourable to the House itself, and advantageous to the interests of the country [hear, hear!]. He would, therefore, move, "That a Select Committee be appointed to consider the constitution of Committees on Private Bills, and to report their observations and opinion thereon to the House."

Mr. S. Bourne

seconded the motion. He considered that the great fault of Private Committees was their being so numerous. He trusted that in future they would more resemble juries of the country, sitting to decide on the rights of their fellow-subjects.

Sir I. Coffin

thought a rule ought to be made, that no member should vote in any committee, who had not attended the whole of the discussion.

The motion was agreed to.