§ Order for Committee read, and discharged.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)I beg to move, Sir, that this Bill be referred to a Select Committee. I find there is 1036 a Standing Order by which it must be referred to a Select Committee, and therefore I make this Motion.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)I do not know whether it is competent for the hon. Member to do that.
§ MR. SEXTONI may explain that on the 3rd February, this year, a question was raised, and the promise was made by the right hon. Gentleman's Predecessor that as the Government could not take charge of such a Bill for want of time, they would afford facilities to Private Members to introduce the Bill. The Bill was road a second time, and having been before the Examiner, by the Standing Orders it must be referred to a Select Committee, and I am obeying that Standing Order in the Motion I now make.
§ Motion made, and Question, "That the Bill be committed to a Select Committee,"—(Mr.Sexton,)—put, and agreed to.
§ Bill committed to a Select Committee.
§ Ordered, That the Bill be committed to a Select Committee of Seven Members, four to be nominated by the House, and Three by the Committee of Selection.
§ Ordered, That all Petitions' against the Bill be presented Two clear days before the meeting of the Committee be referred to the Committee; and the Petitioners praying to be heard by themselves, their Counsel, or Agents, be heard against the Bill, and Counsel heard in support of the Bill.
§ Ordered, That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records.
§ Ordered, That Three be the Quorum.