§ MR. NEATEsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is prepared to advise Her Majesty to include in the terms of the Royal Commission for an inquiry into Trades Unions, an inquiry into the combination existing in the Legal and Medical Professions for the purpose of maintaining their fees at or above a certain rate?
§ MR. GATHORNE HARDYsaid, he did not know what combinations the Question referred to. The hon. Gentleman was himself a member of the legal profession; but he had not informed him of what it was he considered the legal profession had been guilty, or into what particular subject he wished to have an inquiry. Trades and professions had hitherto, up to a certain extent, been kept distinct, and he certainly should not propose to include the latter in this Commission.
§ MR. NEATEsaid, that the other part of his Question of which he had given notice, relative to the extension of the terms of the Commission, so as to embrace the two professions—the fact that such combinations do exist, and the means for adopting rules to fix the fees, &c.—he should make the subject of a special Motion for the consideration of the House.