PARLIAMENTARY AGENTS. (Hansard, 28 June 1876)

§ MR. RAIKES,

in moving— That a Select Committee of five Members be appointed to join with the Committee of five Lords (as mentioned in the Message from the Lords of the 23rd day of this instant June) to consider the expediency of making further regulations concerning the admission and practice of Parliamentary Agents, and to report their opinion thereon, said that, as it at present stood, any man might, on the recommendation of a Member of Parliament or a justice of the peace, become a Parliamentary Agent. Such a system afforded no guarantee and no means of judging of a man's fitness to undertake the conduct of Parliamentary Business. Owing to some recent circumstances, the matter had been brought to the notice of the noble Lord the Chairman of Committees of the other House of Parliament, who had thought it desirable that some joint action should be taken by the two Houses, in order to protect the public interest in this matter—the public being at present liable to suffer not only from the inexperience and incapacity, but also from extortion on the part of persons calling themselves Parliamentary Agents. Personally, he (Mr. Raikes) could testify to the great assistance which he had received from Parliamentary Agents ever since he had held the office of Chairman of the Committees of Ways and Means. They were gentlemen of the highest probity and capability, and no doubt hon. Members had observed the able manner in which they conducted their business. He would not suggest the course which this Committee, if appointed, should pursue, but simply state that no harm could be done by joining the Lords' Committee. He would add that if the House of Lords should make further regulations, great inconvenience might arise if the House of Commons did not make the same. He might point out that instances of unpro- 574 fessional conduct on the part of certain Parliamentary Agents had recently come to light, such as dividing their fees with the solicitors. This necessarily tended to increase the expense of Parliamentary proceedings, and was in every respect a great abuse, and it would be well if some steps could be taken to put an end to the practice. The hon. Member concluded by moving the appointment of the Select Committee.