NOMINATION OF SELECT COMMITTEE. (Hansard, 3 May 1881)

§ MR. HEALY
said, he should move, after the word "quorum," to insert the words "with power to send for persons, papers, and records." It was an unusual thing that a Committee on a Bill should be appointed without having that Reference; and he thought the right hon. and learned Gentleman opposite would agree with him that the Committee could not be supposed to have any very complete knowledge of the subject, and that it would be most desirable that they should receive some evidence. He himself should only propose to call one or two witnesses; but if the Government were allowed to proceed without any witnesses, they would have the matter entirely in their own hands. His proposal was this. There were 82 or 83 coroners in Ireland; most of whom were old men, and the Bill proposed that they should receive £100 a-year; but he thought 20 or 30 of the number might be abolished, and their salaries be applied to superannuation purposes, without any extra expense being thrown on the Exchequer.

§ MR. SPEAKER
The hon. Member is speaking on the Main Question.

§ MR. HEALY
repeated, that he would like to have some evidence given before the Committee, otherwise the Committee would be in blank ignorance, and could not be expected to adjudicate on the subject.

§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. LAW)
regretted that he could not accept the proposal of the hon. Member, and he explained that it was by no means unusual to omit the words 1743 proposed in regard to a Bill such as this, which was of a purely legal character.