DR. CAMERONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If it is a fact that a deputation, representing the views and interests of certain provincial newspapers, within the last few days waited upon him as Chairman of the Select Committee on Parliamentary Reporting; and, whether he received them and listened to what they had to urge; and, if so, whether it would not be more regular for the Committee to openly hear whatever further evidence might be deemed desirable?
§ MR. W. H. SMITH, in reply, said, he was rather surprised when he found the Notice of this Question on the Paper. It was not the fact that any deputation professing to represent the views and interests of certain provincial newspapers had done him the honour of waiting upon him. But certain hon. Members of the House had requested him to hear the opinions they entertained in regard to newspaper reporting, and he had thought it was not irregular or improper for him to listen to their views. He was not, however, aware that they represented any particular section of 521 provincial newspapers or had any private interest whatever to serve, and if he had committed any irregularity in listening to what those hon. Gentlemen had to say, it was one which he had committed ever since he had a seat in the House, for whenever any hon. Member wished to speak to him on the subject of Public Business, he always thought it right to listen. Whether it might not have been more regular for the Committee to have received them, he was not prepared to say; but the Committee had come to the conclusion that they had heard all the evidence that could be brought before them with advantage, and that it was not to the interest of the public that they should take further evidence. He (Mr. Smith) was only Chairman of the Committee, and if the Committee thought differently, he should be very glad to sit and hear any further witnesses that might be produced.