HC Deb 08 July 1902 vol 110 cc1087-8

Mr. Austen Chamberlain, Mr. Churchill, and Mr. Dillon, nominated members of the Select Committee.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Sir John Dorington be one other Member of the Committee."—(Sir William Walrond)

MR. HERBERT LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)

opposed the nomination of Sir John Dorington, in order to give notice to substitute for it the name of the hon. Member for North Monmouthshire, who had had great experience in inquiries of this nature, and had shown great capacity for dealing with questions of that sort. He explained that his objection was not personal to this hon. baronet, who was as much respected on the Opposition side of the House as on his own, but this was the only method open to him of calling attention to the fact that there was no representative of the Welsh Members on the Committee at all. The susceptibilities of the various sections of the House were invariably considered in matters of that kind, and a definite proportion of representation was allocated to each section of the House. On a matter of this importance the claims of Wales ought certainly not to be disregarded.

MR. D. A. THOMAS

As the number of the Committee is not specified, would it not be in order to move the addition of one or two names?

* MR. SPEAKER

No name can be put before the House unless notice has been given on the Paper.

SIR WILLIAM WALROND

pointed out that he had nothing to do with the appointment of Members on the other side; that always resting with the head Whip on the other side. He suggested that, if the hon. Gentleman allowed the Commitee to go through, probably he could have a conversation with the chief Liberal Whip, the right hon. Member for West Leeds, when the matter might be arranged.

Question put and agreed to.

Sir James Fergusson, Sir Walter Foster, Mr. Bonar Law, Mr. Hugh Law, Mr. Lough, Sir Lewis M'lver, Sir Robert Mowbray, Mr. W. F. D. Smith, Mr. Trevelyan, Sir Edgar Vincent, and Mr. Eugene Wason nominated other Members of the Select Committee.

Ordered, That the Committee have power to send for persons, Papers, and records.

Ordered, That five be the quorum.—(Sir William Walrond.)