§ MR. W. E. FORSTER moved that the Select Committee on Endowed Schools Bill do consist of twenty-one Members.
§ MR. CRAWFORDsaid, it was always an ungracious thing to object to the composition of a Committee; but this Committee had raised much opposition on the part of those whom he represented. Perhaps there was no constituency in the kingdom that was more likely to be affected by this Bill than that which he represented, and yet there was not a single representative for the City whose name appeared on the Committee. It was true his right hon. Friend (Mr. W. E. Forster) had asked him to be a Member, and that he had declined on account of the pressing nature of other duties. But he had a Colleague,- an Alderman of the City, and a member of more than one of the City companies; a man of great knowledge of the subject, and who was therefore well able to take part in the labours of the Committee. He therefore gave Notice, that he would to-morrow move that the number of Members be twenty-two, and that his hon. Colleague (Mr. Alderman W. Lawrence) be added to the Committee.
§ MR. COLLINSremarked that the great 24 majority of the Members who had been nominated to serve upon this Committee appeared to have been taken from the front Benches on either side of the House. He found that of the Conservative Members, six had formerly been Ministers. It would have been more satisfactory if the list had contained more names of Members below the Gangway, who took an interest in this subject. He should wish that the name of the hon. Member for Whitehaven (Mr. Bentinck) should be added to the list.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERsaid, he hoped the House would give him credit for having taken the utmost pains to form the Committee impartially from both sides of the House, and from those who took an interest in the question. He was aware that it was desirable to have a Member from the City on the Committee, as the Bill materially affected the interests of the companies; and, with that view, he had asked his hon. Friend (Mr. Crawford) to be on the Committee. He would have proposed another name, but he had been led to believe that the hon. Member for Sussex (Mr. G. B. Gregory) was closely connected with the companies of the City. As to the remarks of the hon. Member for Boston (Mr. Collins), he must be aware that ten Members were taken from his side of the House.
§ MR. COLLINSreplied, that although such was the case, still the greater number were taken from above the Gangway.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Select Committee to consist of Twenty-one Members:—Mr. WILLIAM EDWARD FORSTER, Sir JOHN COLERIDGE, Mr. WALPOLE, Mr. ACLAND, Mr. MOWBRAY, Mr. JAMES HOWARD, Mr. ADDERLEY, Mr. BUXTON, Sir JOHN PAKINGTON, Mr. MELLY, Sir STAFFORD NORTHCOTE, Mr. WALTER, Sir JOHN HAY, Mr. PARKER, Mr. GEORGE GREGORY, Mr. WINTERBOTHAM, Mr. JOHN TALBOT, Mr. JACOB BRIGHT, Mr. BERESFORD HOPE, Mr. DILLWTN, and Mr. GOLDNEY:—Five to be the quorum.