APPOINTMENT OF SELECT COMMITTEE. (Hansard, 24 February 1870)

§ COLONEL FRENCH
took exception to the constitution of the Committee. Of the twenty-one Members of which it was composed, eleven, according to the usual practice in such matters, were chosen by I the Government, and ten from among the Members of the Opposition. Upon the personal qualifications of any of the Members named, he had not a word to offer; but it was remarkable that the Committee did not include a single Irish Member. There ought, in these matters, to be some rule by which a due proportion of Members from each of the three kingdoms should be appointed upon important national Committees. In the present case he suggested that the list should be so arranged as to include a direct representation of Ireland; and one name he would venture to mention which the House, he thought, would recognize the expediency of placing upon the list. The hon. Member for Galway, from the advantages he possessed and the opportunities he had enjoyed, was peculiarly fitted to take part in an inquiry relating to the Diplomatic and Consular Services.

MR. O'REILLY-DEASE
said, his countrymen were a wandering race, and they felt a peculiar interest in Consular and Diplomatic appointments. In anything connected with British influence abroad, and the protection which was extended to British subjects, they had a direct concern. To exclude Irish Members, therefore, from all share in inquiries such as that now proposed, 795 was an outrage upon Irish national sentiment.

MR. GLADSTONE
No person can hear the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Galway mentioned without acknowledging that, in such an inquiry as that now proposed—or indeed, in any inquiry—his co-operation would be of advantage. My right hon. and gallant Friend, however, must bear in mind that according to the usage which has prevailed for some time—and which my right hon. and gallant Friend has recognized in his own speech—Committees are constituted of Members chosen from both sides of the House, a majority of I being given to that side which possesses the majority in the House itself. And this advantage results from the arrangement, that it gives to Gentlemen on which ever side of the House they sit, an opportunity of serving in turn upon Committees. On the other hand, it is plain that if the present constitution of the House be such as popularly reputed, eleven Gentlemen from this side will not represent anything like the same proportion as ten Gentlemen chosen from the other. If my right hon. and gallant Friend desires to alter the present arrangement, that is a subject which may well be worthy of consideration; but it should only be done after full notice and ample discussion. I do not agree with him that minute attention should be paid to the representation of the three kingdoms exclusively. I think there is another nationality in this country quite as contact as the Irish or the Scotch—I mean the Welsh; and if we are to drive home too closely this doctrine of representation, regard must be paid to their representation also. The name which my right hon. and gallant Friend has mentioned is one that would carry with it universal acceptance upon any Committee; but in this instance I trust he will not feel it necessary to disturb the arrangement which has been made. Committee nominated as follows:—Mr. BOUVERIE, Mr. WILLIAM HENRY GLADSTONE, Mr. RYLANDS, Mr. RICHARD SHAW, Sir HENRY LYTTON BULWER, Sir CHARLES WENTWORTH DILKE, Mr. KINNAIRD, Mr. HOLMS, Mr. WILLIAM CART-WRIGHT, Mr. ARTHUR RUSSELL, Mr. SCLATER-BOOTH, Viscount SANDON, Mr. EASTWICK, Mr. BARING, Mr. WILLIAM LOWTHER, Mr. CAMERON, Mr. FREDERICK STANLEY, Mr. BUTLER-JOHNSTONE, Viscount HARRINGTON, Mr. FREDERICK WALPOLE, and Mr. OTWAY:—Power to send for persons, papers, and records; Seven to be the quorum.