HC Deb 31 May 1839 vol 47 cc1191-2
Mr. Hawes

having moved that certain Members constitute the Select Committee on the London Police Bill,

Sir Robert Peel

took the opportunity of his being appointed to serve on the committee to state his opinion, that there ought to be some fixed rule laid down with regard to the attendance of members on private committees. He wished to know whether it were understood to be the rule of the House, that a Member should be present during the whole of the evidence, or whether it were competent to him, after the absence of a day, to attend the committee during the remainder of its sittings? He was now a member of a private committee, on the subject of which his constituents were much interested; and he much feared that he could not consent to be named on this committee, if a stringent construction were put on the rule to which he had referred with respect to private business.

Mr. Hawes

was placed in the difficulty to which the right hon. Baronet had adverted. He was nominated on two committees—one public, and the other private; and having been obliged to be absent for a day on the latter, he considered himself disentitled to sit any longer. There was, however, a different interpretation put upon the rule by other Members; and, at all events, it was important that all doubt with regard to it should be cleared up.

Mr. Poulett Thomson

found himself in a similar situation to the right hon. Baronet (Sir R. Peel). He did not think that it was the intention of the House, that so stringent an interpretation should be put upon the rule, as that to which the hon. Member for Lambeth referred. All the House required, in his opinion, was, that no Member should vote on any question arising out of the proceedings before a private committee, without, hearing the evidence relating to it.

Mr. Hume

thought, on the contrary, that the rule should be strictly enforced, or not laid down at all. He considered the functions of the Members of a committee similar to jurymen, and not admitting of any absence.

Sir Robert Peel

declined serving on the committee, which was appointed.

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