HC Deb 23 May 1881 vol 261 cc1064-5
MR. THOMASSON

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether he thinks it desirable to fill the houses of honourable Members, at the public expense, with bulky copies of Provisional Orders Confirmation Bills, which they never read, or to deliver to honourable Members on every occasion when a Bill is upon the Order paper for Committee, copies of the Amendments on such Bill, when such copies of Amendments are identically, word for word, the same as those previously delivered (e.g. Alkali, &c. Works Regulation Bill); and, whether, in the interests of the Public Exchequer, he does not think it desirable to alter the practice in these respects?

LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISH

The delivery of Bills and Notices of Motion to hon. Members is made under the general direction of Mr. Speaker, assisted, when necessary, by the Printing Committee. As representative of the interests of the Exchequer, I should, of course, desire that all unnecessary expense should be avoided; but I do not think that it is for me to say what papers are or are not required for the convenience of Members. I have, however, your permission, Sir, to state that in your opinion the question whether Provisional Order Bills should not be treated as regards circulation in the same manner as Private Bills is one deserving of consideration.