HC Deb 14 March 1879 vol 244 cc932-3
MR. RAIKES

Mr. Speaker, I wish to address a Question to you upon a matter which I do not desire to place so high as a Question of Privilege, but which appears to me to affect the character and authority of this House. A Circular reached me in the course of yesterday evening—as I believe it did most of the other Members of the House—with reference to a question which was debated in this House at the time of Private Business yesterday. Members generally will be familiar with the practice, which has been frequently deprecated, of addressing Circulars to Members, endeavouring to bias their opinions with regard to Private Bills before the House of Commons; and I should not have ventured, Sir, to trouble you, or to ask you for an opinion on a subject of that kind—where, I believe, the practice of Parliament, as expressed by very high authority, is clearly understood; but the Circular to which I refer appears to me to go further; and I venture, therefore, to ask you to favour the House with your opinion upon it. The Circular is headed, "Thames River Prevention of Floods—Nomination of six Members by the House;" and it says— Your attendance in support of Colonel Beresford's Motion at a quarter to 4 on Thursday, March 13th, is most respectfully and earnestly requested. Colonel Beresford's Motion is to omit the name of Sir J. M'Garel-Hogg as one of the six Members, and to substitute the name of Mr. Watney in lieu thereof. That Circular is signed "Thomas E. Jones, clerk to the Fulham District Board of Works," and "J. E. Bradfield, Parliamentary Agent." Sir, I venture, in putting this Question to you, to invite your opinion as to whether the nomination of Members to serve on Select Committees is not one of the most delicate and most eminently judicial functions which this House is called upon to perform; and, whether, in your opinion, attempts to bespeak the support of Members in regard to Private Bills which may he submitted to the House is not disrespectful to the House, and calculated, if such a practice comes to be assented to, seriously to impair the authority of this House as a tribunal with regard to Private Business?

MR. SPEAKER

The practice of canvassing Members to support or oppose Private Bills has often been the subject of complaint in this House. In the present case the hon. Gentleman the Chairman of Ways and Means has brought under the notice of the House the fact that the parties have gone further, and commented, in connection with the proposed constitution of the Committee, on the names of particular Members selected to serve upon it. Such a practice is undoubtedly very objectionable, and should be discountenanced by the general reprehension of the House. But, except in cases in which false or misleading statements are made, or expressions are used which are injurious to Members, the House will scarcely think it necessary to take any measures against the parties referred to.