§ MR. CROMBIE (Kincardineshire)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, considering the recommendation of the Select Committee on Private Bill Procedure (Scotland) of last Session, that, as the House fees produce a sum far in excess of the expenses incurred, they should be reduced, he will 629 take the necessary steps to carry out this recommendation by amending the Standing Order of 1864, by which these fees are fixed?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI do not propose to suggest to the House, in the course of the present Session at all events, any Amendment of the existing Standing Orders upon this or any other subject. I may remind the honourable Gentleman that, while our fees are regulated by Standing Order, no Resolution of this House or modification of our Standing Orders would affect the charges of fees of the House of Lords.
§ MR. COGHILLWill the right honourable Gentleman be able in any way to facilitate the discussion by the House of this subject, either on the question that "Mr. Speaker leave the Chair" or on any other occasion?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYAs far as I am aware, there is no opportunity of discussing on Standing Orders, either on any Vote in the Estimates, or on the question that Mr. Speaker leave the Chair. It is not my duty to give a ruling on the subject, but I do not remember any such thing ever being done.