§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Evidence given before many Committees, such as that now considering the question of Railway Rates, is not printed and circulated until some days later, and generally only on the morning of the next sitting of the Committee; and whether he can make arrangements that such Evidence shall be printed and circulated next morning, as is the case with the Evidence given before Committees on Railway Bills and others?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTAs a general rule, the Evidence taken before Select Committees is not circulated the next morning, but before the next meeting of the Committee simply. The printers are not ordinarily paid for night-work, which would be required if the Evidence had to be circulated the next morning. If such rapidity in circulating Evidence is found necessary it is for the Chairman of the particular Committee to give the order.
§ * MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Bushcliffe)Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there have been several cases during this Session in which the delay has been a serious inconvenience?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTI am sure the Chairman of the Committee will do everything in his power to forward the circulation of the Evidence.