HC Deb 19 July 1881 vol 263 cc1366-7

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Sir EDWARD COLEBROOKE and Mr. ARTHUR BALFOUR be added to the Select Committee on the said Bill."—(The Lord Advocate.)

EARL PERCY

said, some reason should be forthcoming for these additions, for there were already 19 Members nominated. The practice of increasing the number of Members on Committees was growing very prevalent. He was not aware why two more names should be added to the 19.

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. M'LAREN)

said, he might inform the noble Earl that the hon. Baronet the Member for North Lanarkshire (Sir Edward Colebrooke), whose name it was proposed to add, took a very active part in the Committee of 1871 which sat on the Scotch Poor Law Administration. The hon. Baronet would have been originally nominated for the Committee, but for the circumstance that he was not in town when the list was made out, and it could not be ascertained whether he was willing to serve; but, on his return, he expressed his wish to have his name added. That was accordingly done, and the name of another Member from the other side of the House was also added, under the usual arrangement of Committees.

MR. SPEAKER

I was not aware that the Committee had been ordered to consist of 19 Members. This Motion must be preceded by the usual Motion to increase the number.

Question, "That the Select Committee on the Poor Relief and Audit of Accounts (Scotland) Bill do consist of Twenty-one Members,"—(The Lord Advocate,)—put, and agreed to.

Original Question, "That Sir EDWARD COLEBROOKE and Mr. ARTHUR BALFOUR be added to the Select Committee on the said Bill,"—(The Lord Advocate,)—put, and agreed to.