MR T. M. HEALYIs the right honourable Gentleman aware that the London University Bill now being proceeded with in Grand Committee contains a money clause which has not been santioned by Committee of the wholes House?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI understand that nothing irregular has been done. Before the Bill passes its final stages there will be an opportunity for the Committee to sanction the financial provisions of the Measure.
MR. T. M. HEALYIs the right honourable Gentleman aware that the Chairman of Ways and Means has expressed the opinion that the procedure adopted in this case was irregular?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! Anything said by the Chairman of Ways and Means in the Committee cannot be discussed in the House.
MR. T. M. HEALYAs a point of order, may I ask whether any means exists of raising this question as one of privilege—namely, that a Grand Committee should not be allowed to proceed with a Bill in which money clauses are inserted, and which create a charge on the taxpayers, without the House having some cognisance of the matter in Committee of the whole House?
§ MR. SPEAKERA Bill, after passing through Committee, and before it becomes law, must pass through the Report stage, and if there is anything irregular the matter can then be taken notice of.
MR. T. M. HEALYBut if no Amendments are made in the Bill there would be no Report stage, only Third Reading.
§ MR. SPEAKERThe Committee will report to the House as to what has been done, and it will be time to take notice of any irregularity then.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESIs it not necessary to get the Money Committee before the clause is put into the Bill?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! That does not arise out of the Question. Notice must be given.