HC Deb 09 June 1891 vol 354 cc22-3
MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when it is proposed to nominate the Select Committee on Financial Relations (England, Scotland, and Ireland), which was promised on 20th May, 1890, was appointed on 13th August, 1890, and on 18th August reported in favour of its re-appointment this Session; and when it is proposed to re-constitute the Select Committee on the Private Bill Procedure (Scotland) Bill, in order that it may inquire into the subject of Pro- visional Orders, according to the Instruction of the House to that Committee?

MR. GOSCHEN

We are quite prepared to move for the re-appointment of the Committee at once, especially as the right hon. Member for Newcastle, an important Member of the Committee, is now back in his place in the House. We have delayed to make the Motion because three Members of the original Committee have recently been prostrated by the influenza, seven or eight other Members have been almost daily engaged on the Irish Land Purchase Bill, and two other Members of the Committee have been engaged in the consideration of a most important Bill upstairs. Under these circumstances it was wise, I think, to postpone the re-appointment of the Committee. Now we shall be quite prepared to go forward with the matter; but I think the House will agree that it would be unwise for the Committee to proceed to their labours until we have disposed of the Irish Land Bill.

MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

One of the Members of the original Committee is in prison. Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to keep Mr. Dillon in prison whilst the Committee is sitting?

MR. GOSCHEN

I think it better not to make any statement on this subject, but if the hon. Member insists upon a reply I must ask him to put the question to the Chief Secretary for Ireland.

*MR. W. H. SMITH

I beg to answer the second question of the right hon. Gentleman. We find that the Committee would have to be completely reconstructed, and that the terms of the Reference must necessarily be extended. Under these circumstances, we have hardly thought it possible to propose to enter into so extensive an inquiry so late in the Session.