§ MR. H. S. SAMUEL (Tower Hamlets, Limehouse)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can now state when the Motion for a 1331 Select Committee with, reference to compulsory shop clubs will be taken; and if, considering the late period of the Session, and the consequent improbability of a Select Committee being able to conclude the evidence and present a Report, he will consider the advisability of substituting a Departmental Committee which could sit during the Recess?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI had thought that a Select Committee of this House would be the most satisfactory method of examining the case of the friendly societies, and I am not sure that it may not still prove to be so. Having, however, seen the representatives of these societies and clearly ascertained from them their wishes, which I had desired to meet, I propose, especially in view of the late period of the Session, not to proceed with my Motion now; but meanwhile I shall do my best, by way of a formal Departmental Committee or otherwise, to look carefully into the case during the Recess.
§ SIR C. DILKEWill the terms of reference to the Departmental Committee be the same as those proposed in this House, or will they be widened?
§ CAPTAIN NORTONAnd will the right honourable Gentleman take steps to secure that the Committee report before the meeting of Parliament next year, so that action may be taken and a Bill brought in to secure the desired object as quickly as possible?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTThe reference will deal with the complaint made by the friendly societies, and I do not see that the terms of the reference need widening. I saw the representatives of the friendly societies yesterday, and I did not understand them to say that the terms of the reference were not wide enough, I will refer the Committee to the memorial sent in by the friendly societies.
§ MR. MADDISON (Sheffield, Bright side)Is the right honourable Gentleman not aware that the great friendly societies do not consider the terms of reference as they appear on the Paper wide enough?