HC Deb 07 February 1887 vol 310 cc868-9

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Select Committee on Town Holdings do consist of Twenty Members."—(Colonel Nolan.)

MR. T. E. ELLIS (Merionethshire)

I do not wish to object to the appointment of this Committee; but I should like to call attention to the fact that most parts of the Kingdom which are interested in this question, are represented upon the Committee, except Wales. Upon enquiry from those who take an interest in the question, and from the evidence which Members from Wales can give, I think it can be made clear that no part of the United Kingdom is so closely and vitally affected in the question of Holdings as the Principality. It is not too much to say that there is scarcely an artizan's house throughout the industrial districts of Wales that is freehold. Almost all the houses of the working men in the Principality have been built on short leases. I see there are three Irish Members on the Committee. These hon. Gentlemen were in the last Parliament able to summon witnesses from Ireland, so that the whole case, from an Irish point of view, has been set before the Committee. I do not complain of the representation of Ireland upon the Committee; but I put it to the hon. and gallant Gentleman (Colonel Nolan), who moved the appointment of the Committee, whether the Committee cannot be increased, so that Representatives of Wales may be put upon it?

COLONEL NOLAN (Galway, N.)

I, of course, have nothing to do with the formation of the Committee, except so far as the three Irish Members are concerned. I should be very glad indeed if some Welsh Members could be placed upon the Committee; but I hope that if there are any considerable additions to the Committee, a fourth Irish Member will be appointed. In the last Parliament, the Committee consisted of 27 Members, and now it is reduced to 20, and the Irish Party have agreed to have three Irish Members instead of four upon it. Ordered, That the Select Committee on Town Holdings do consist of Twenty Members:—The Committee was accordingly nominated of—Mr. Gibson, Mr. Tyssen Amherst, Sir John Ellis, Mr. Beadel, Mr. Baumann, Viscount Folkestone, Mr. Bartley, Mr. Elton, Mr. Compton Lawrance, Sir Henry James, Mr. Asher, Viscount Wolmer, Mr. Conybeare, Mr. Fry, Mr. Lawson, Mr. Edward Russell, Mr. A. H. Acland, Mr. Crilly, Mr. Gray, and Colonel Nolan, with power to send for persons and papers. Ordered, That five be the quorum.—(Colonel Nolan.)