§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I promised to announce at the earliest opportunity the additional names for the Commission to inquire into the arrangements for the sick and wounded in South Africa. I am glad to say we have obtained the services of Sir David Richmond, ex-Lord Provost of Glasgow, a respected gentleman and deeply versed in administrative affairs, and Mr. Harrison, general manager of the London and North-Western Railway. I am particularly glad we have got Mr. Harrison to serve, seeing that questions of transport are clearly of great importance, and his name will, I think, carry universal weight with all acquainted with railway management.
§ MR. BURDETT - COUTTS (Westminster)Will the right hon. Gentleman give us any opportunity of discussing these names or the constitution of the Committee of Inquiry?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir.
§ MR. BURDETT-COUTTSThen I beg to ask leave to move the adjournment of the House in order to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance—namely, the constitution and scope of the Committee of Inquiry.
§ * MR. SPEAKERIt is somewhat difficult to remember the exact course of events, but I believe I am right in saying that a motion for the adjournment of the House was made on 5th July by the hon. Member for Northampton, in order to discuss the composition and scope of reference of the Committee appointed to inquire into the treatment of the sick and wounded in South Africa.† On that motion a discussion took place upon scope of reference and the three names then placed before the House. I do not think that a renewed discussion upon those three names would be in order. It is a well-known rule that the same matter cannot be discussed twice on a motion of adjournment under Standing Order 17. But as regards the two new names now added, it will lie with the House and not with
† See preceding volume of Debates, page 648.223 me to say whether they shall discuss them or not. If the hon. Member cares to alter his motion in this way—namely, to discuss the nomination of Sir D. Richmond and Mr. Harrison as members of the Committee of Inquiry, such a motion would be in order.
§ MR. BURDETT-COUTTSMay I respectfully remind you, Sir, that on the occasion referred to I stated that I had an objection to one of the names, but no discussion of that objection or name took place. The discussion took a wider scope, and had reference to the large element of the medical profession on the Commission. I now propose to deal with an entirely new matter.
§ * MR. SPEAKERI look at the subject-matter proposed for discussion; I have really nothing to do with the particular arguments that have been used. The matter proposed for discussion was the composition and scope of reference of the Committee appointed to inquire into the treatment of sick and wounded soldiers, it being proposed that the Committee should consist of a certain learned judge and two members of the medical profession. The question of the composition of the Committee so far as those three gentlemen were concerned was open and was discussed. I think it would be quite contrary to the rules of the House, especially in a matter of such a personal bearing, if three names which were discussed by the House on one occasion were re-discussed on a motion for the adjournment without any alteration of the circumstances with regard to those three names.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLWith all respect, I submit that new circumstances have since arisen with respect to Professor Cunningham. I am in the recollection of the House when I say that the First Lord on the last occasion threatened to withdraw his name if there was any discussion on it.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI never said anything of the kind.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLSince then the charge has been openly made that Professor Cunningham has been recommended by those who are interested in the issue of the inquiry.
§ * MR. SPEAKERThe names were before the House. It is almost inevitable that some further arguments should have occurred to some hon. Members' minds, but that does not alter the fact that this matter has been discussed by the House under Standing Order 17 as regards those three gentlemen. The other two names can be discussed if the hon. Member wishes.
§ MR. BURDETT-COUTTSThe First Lord of the Treasury stated in definite terms that neither of the two medical gentlemen had any connection with the Army Medical Department. Subsequently it became known that one of those gentlemen held a paid appointment in connection with the Army Medical Department.
§ * MR. SPEAKERI am quite sure that the whole matter was open to discussion, though, of course, it is impossible to say of every hon. Member that everything was present in his mind then which is present in his mind now. I must adhere to what I have said, that if the hon. Member asks leave to move the adjournment in order to discuss two names now for the first time before the House, that is a matter which I am prepared to submit to the House.
§ MR. BURDETT-COUTTSAs your ruling makes it impossible for me to bring before the House new matter of great interest, I must beg leave to withdraw.