HC Deb 12 July 1905 vol 149 cc377-8
MR. REMNANT (Finsbury, Holborn)

proposed the Motion which stood in his name on the Paper.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Order [6th July] for Committal of the Bill be read and discharged, and that the Bill be committed to a Select Committee of Nine Members, Five to be nominated by the House and Four by the Committee of Selection. That all Petitions against the Bill presented not less than four clear days before the meeting of the Committee be referred to the Committee; that the Petitioners praying to be heard by themselves, their Counsel, or Agents, be heard against the Bill, and Counsel heard in support of the Bill. That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records. That Five be the quorum."—(Mr. Remnant.)

Objection being taken, the Order was deferred to to-morrow evening.

MR. BOULNOIS (Marylebone, E.)

asked whether a Committee which had been nominated to deal with this Bill, and was to sit to-morrow, could sit when a Motion of this kind was on the Agenda.

MR. SPEAKER

Certainly it can sit and go on with its business. It does not follow that because a Motion of this kind is on the Paper it will be carried.

MR. WHITLEY (Halifax)

To-morrow evening is allocated to Army Estimates. Will this Motion be proceeded with then?

MR. SPEAKER

That rests with the Chairman of Ways and Means. It is a matter entirely within his discretion.

MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)

But if the Committee goes on it will nullify this Motion altogether.

MR. SPEAKER

The Committee must go on. It has been put down for to-morrow, counsel have been briefed and witnesses summoned. There is no reason why it should not go on. In fact it must.

MR. REMNANT

What will be the result if the Motion is carried?

MR. SPEAKER

The work of the Committee will be undone.

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