§ MR. SOUTTAR (Dumfriesshire)On behalf of the honourable Member for North Aberdeen, I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to his statement that the question of the salaries and appointments of the officials of both Houses of Parliament is now engaging the attention of the Government, and in view of the desirability of an inquiry being made into the existing system, he will agree to the appointment of a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament to inquire what changes are practicable, so as to secure the fixing of salaries in proportion to the nature and amount of the work performed, and the making of appointments on some system in accordance with modern requirements?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYWe are prepared to assent to a joint committee to inquire into the establishment of the two Houses of Parliament, but I cannot at present pledge myself as to the terms of the reference.