§ SIR RICHARD PAGET (Somerset, Wells)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, in view of the difficulty and inconvenience frequently arising from overcrowding in the House of Commons, the Government would consent to the appointment of a Select Committee, to whom should be referred the Reports, lately reprinted, of the Select Committee of 1867–8 on the House of Commons Arrangements?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL) (Paddington, S.)In reply to my hon. Friend, I have to say that I cannot altogether accept to the full extent he would wish, perhaps, the premisses of the Question. But if my hon. Friend should be fortunate enough in gaining an opportunity next Session of bringing this matter before the House, and if it should be the general desire of the House that a Committee of this kind should be appointed, then, of course, the Government would not offer any opposition. But I would not wish my hon. Friend to suppose by this answer that the Government would be in any way committed to any proposal which would entail any large expenditure upon the present Houses of Parliament.
§ SIR RICHARD PAGETgave Notice that next Session he would move for the appointment of a Select Committee on the subject.