HC Deb 12 May 1898 vol 57 cc1158-9

Amendment proposed— Page 12, line 21, insert at end— Provided that the number of persons other than members thus appointed shall not exceed in number one-fourth of the committee."—(Mr. Flynn.)

MR. FLYNN

said he had no reason to believe that the rural district councils would act in an unreasonable manner with regard to the appointment of committees, but the principle of co-option ought not to be Carried too far.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

said the appointment of the committees could be revoked if their methods of business should not commend themselves to the district council or the guardians. It was undesirable to omit the clause limiting the number of non-members, as the honorable Member suggested. It was really quite sufficient that one member of the district council or guardians should be a member of the committee, so that he might report the proceedings of the committee to the body to which he belongs.

MR. FLYNN

said he thought the Amendment was reasonable that not more than a fourth of the committee should be co-opted.

MR. JORDAN (Fermanagh, S.)

said he did not see the necessity for the committees at all.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

said the advantage of appointing them was, in the first place, that it would save the guardians a certain amount of time, and, in the second place, that they would possess special local knowledge, which would be very useful.

Amendment withdrawn.

Clause agreed to.

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