§ MR. HENRY H. FOWLERI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Standing Committees on Trade and Law are to be asked to undertake the consideration of any Bills other than those introduced by the Government?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHI am not aware that in 1882, when Standing Committees were first created, or in 1888, when the question was again discussed, any pledge was given that Private Members' Bills should not be referred to these Committees. I think it would be inadvisable to lay down any specific ruling on the question, as it is often the case that a private Bill so nearly approaches the object sought to be obtained by a Government Bill that time is saved by referring them both to the same Committee. At the same time, I do not think that Private Bills should, as a rule, go to the Standing Committees.