§ MR. HENRY HOBHOUSEI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he will consider the desirability of appointing a Select Committee to consider the proposals for the reform of the Procedure of this House, which were placed on the Paper last session by the Government and by private Members, but were left undiscussed for want of time.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIncluded in the proposals which remain unfinished among the Standing Orders, I hope that there is at least one which is practically 680 uncontroversial dealing with consolidation. But I will consider whether the remaining proposals I made last year ought, or ought not, to be sent to a committee. I should like, however, some time for reflection.
§ MR. HENRY HOBHOUSEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider as to whether other proposals from unofficial Members of the House might not be dealt with by the Committee?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI think that if a committee is appointed it might as well be given plenty to do. They might have a roving commission over the Standing Orders of the House, but I do not know that these inquiries come to much. I have personally felt that as to the Rules dealing with procedure from day to day the Leader of the House knows as much as any commission or committee can teach him. Though there may be legitimate differences as to whether he is right or wrong, it is not on account of the ignorance of any proposal that the opposition to the Government in such matters arises. Therefore, though I have not the same hopes as my right hon. friend, I will consider the suggestion.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Are there not many hon. Members who object to the proposal of consolidation?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURPerhaps I was wrong in saying uncontroversial, but I have gathered that the great body of opinion in the House without restriction to Party is in favour of it.