HC Deb 07 June 1894 vol 25 cc559-60
MR. BOULNOIS (Marylebone, W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the announcement that on Sunday the 3rd instant the hon. Member for Battersea, who has recently heen nominated to serve on a Committee to inquire into the relations between cab-owners and cab-drivers in the Metropolis, attended an open air meeting in Battersea Park held for the purpose of expressing sympathy with the cab-drivers on strike, at which the hon. Member incited the drivers to continue the strike and maintain the pickets; and whether he will consider the propriety of retaining on a Committee, which is about to commence an inquiry of a judicial character, a Member who continues to take an active part on either side upon the question to be considered?

MR. C. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeek)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the Committee appointed by the late Government to inquire into the hours of railway servants Members of this House were retained who had previously on platforms in the country publicly pronounced a definite opinion upon the question to be inquired into?

MR. E. H. BAYLEY (Camberwell, N.)

I think it is only right to say that I am to some extent tarred with the same brush as the hon. Member for Battersea, and if any blame attaches to him I ought to share it.

MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether the terms of Reference to the Committee have been settled, whether the Members have been nominated, and when the Committee will be able to begin work?

MR. ASQUITH

Yes, Sir. The terms of Reference have been settled and the Members nominated, and as far as I know there is nothing to prevent the Committee from beginning its work at once. My attention has not been called otherwise than by the hon. Member's question to the speech referred to, and I am unable to say whether the hon. Member for Battersea did or did not use the language attributed to him. However this may be, I fail to see that my hon. Friend has in any way disqualified him- self for serving on the proposed Committee.