HC Deb 15 March 1853 vol 125 cc253-4
COLONEL MURE

said, he would now propose to appoint the Members of the Select Committee on the National Gallery.

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON

said, that the names, with two or three exceptions, had been taken from one side of the House. He admitted that the hon. Gentlemen selected were quite fit for the task imposed upon them, and he did not take any exception to the names; but he wished to observe that it was the general practice that on all subjects of importance the Committee should be selected in fair proportions from both sides of the House.

MR. WILSON PATTEN

said, he would suggest the addition of one hon. Member who had taken a great interest in matters of this description, and whose services would he found most valuable—he meant the hon. Member for South Cheshire (Sir P. Egerton).

COLONEL MURE

said, his object had been to select those Gentlemen who had taken a great interest in the subject, and whose minds had been occupied with various subjects relating to the National Gallery. One or two Gentlemen on the other side of the House, to whom proposals were made, declined being named; and as they did not suggest the selection of any other Gentleman, he did not consider it necessary to take any peculiar measure to obtain that equal balancing of sides which had been alluded to in a Committee of this nature. If there was no objection to increasing the number of the Committee, he should be glad to add the names of two or three Gentlemen on the other side of the House.

MR. HENLEY

said, the proceedings of the Committee might possibly lay the foundation for a very large expenditure, and therefore he thought the suggestion of his right hon. Friend (Sir J. Pakington) entitled to considerable weight.

COLONEL MURE

said, that was a collateral event.

MR. SOTHERON

hoped the hon. Gentleman would take notice of the suggestion relative to the hon. Member for South Cheshire.

MR. WILSON PATTEN

said, he would suggest the postponement of the Motion until to-morrow, before which time it was possible some further arrangement might be made.

COLONEL MURE

said, he had no objection to adopt that suggestion.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

The House adjourned at eleven o'clock.