HC Deb 13 June 1904 vol 135 cc1502-3
*MR. GIBSON BOWLES

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when does he propose to have a Motion made for the nomination of Members of the Committee I of Privileges appointed on the first day of the present session; and, in view of the possibility of questions of privilege arising unexpectedly and suddenly which might with advantage be referred by the House to that Committee, can he undertake that this nomination shall shortly be proceeded with.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The House will perhaps recollect that my desire has been that, when any question of privilege arises, we should have some machinery for at once and automatically referring it to a Select Committee, and that only after such Select Committee has considered and reported on the subject the House should, if it thinks fit, take up the question. I have not been able to carry that principle into effect, but I think the suggestion of my hon. friend (the reference of such questions to the Committee of Privileges appointed on the first day of the session), although it does not go the whole length, is in that direction, and I propose, therefore, to put down the names of the Committee referred to.

*MR GIBSON BOWLES

It was my intention to carry out the proposal of the right hon. Gentleman as he now state it.