§ MR. R. HODGSONsaid, he wished to ask the Chairman of the Committee on Standing Orders, Whether he intends to move for the appointment of a Committee for the purpose of ascertaining whether any alteration can be made in the conduct of Private Business, so as to diminish the expense now incurred by Promoters and Opponents of Private Bills?
§ COLONEL WILSON PATTENSir, it is my intention to move for a Select Committee to revise the Standing Orders of the House; and if the House accede to my proposition, I intend to propose certain Resolutions connected with the Standing Orders which will have the effect of reducing some of the expenses of private legislation in this House. There are other expenses incurred in private legislation before Parliament which have no reference to Standing Orders. I am not in a position to investigate that subject, inasmuch as certain Returns which I moved for at the early part of the Session hare not yet been furnished. Perhaps I may take this opportunity of giving notice to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade that on to-morrow I shall ask him why the Returns having reference to the expenses incurred by Railways and other Companies in private legislation have not sooner been furnished to the House.
§ MR. HADFIELDsaid, he would beg to ask whether the contemplated changes would include any diminution of fees to the Officers of the House?
§ COLONEL WILSON PATTENSome of the fees are dependent on the Standing Orders of this House, which will be under the cognizance of the Committee I shall have the honour to move for. But there are other fees which can only he investigated by a Committee having the power of examining into the whole question.
§ MR. AUGUSTUS SMITHasked whether the hon. Gentleman intended to move for the Committee this Session?
§ COLONEL WILSON PATTENI shall give notice this evening of my intention to move on Thursday.