§ MR. EVELYN CECIL (Aston Manor)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether he can now make any statement as to the reappointment of the Select Committee on Steamship Subsidies.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI think it will be desirable that an evening sitting, early in the week after we return should be devoted to the appointment of this Committee and of two other Committees which have been promised by the Government, and the reference to which I will put down before the holidays. One has regard to Private Bill Procedure. The other question is to consider whether any scheme is practicable for improving the machinery for looking into the details of Estimates, apart from policy. I will put down the references for the Tuesday or Wednesday evening after we return, putting steamship subsidies first.
§ MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)In what order will they be proposed?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Steamship Subsidies Committee first.
MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)Will the right hon. Gentleman adhere to the original terms of reference, or will he enlarge the scope of the inquiry?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have considered that question. On the whole I am disposed to think it is much better to leave the reference where it is, and to get the information which the Committee are in a position to give us as soon as possible. To alter the reference would necessarily increase the time the Committee must sit.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)With regard to the Committee on Private Bill Procedure, will the right hon. Gentleman await its Report before making the sessional Orders Standing Orders? What will be the reference to it?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI propose that the reference to the Committee on Private 386 Bill Procedure shall not include any power of altering the arrangements we have made to take private business at the beginning of the evening sitting. I consider that is fundamental; the House has decided the matter, and I do not intend to refer it to the Committee.