§ *MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the hon. Member for Bath, as Chairman of the Committee of Selection, whether his Committee was aware, when appointing the hon. Member for Wandsworth as Chairman of a Committee to consider Group 1 of Railway Bills, that the hon. Member for Wandsworth is Chairman of the South Indian Railway Company; whether it is the usual practice of the Committee of Selection to appoint railway directors to act on Committees on Railway Bills; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter; and, if so, what action.
§ MR. WODEHOUSE (Bath)I was not aware that the hon. Member for Wandsworth was Chairman of the South Indian Railway Company when he was appointed Chairman of the Committee to consider Group 1 of Railway Bills. As regards the question whether it is the usual practice of the Committee to appoint railway directors to act on Committees on Railway Bills, I would observe that the ordinary declaration of a Member serving on a Committee on a private Bill is that his constituents have no local interest in the Bill and that he himself has no personal interest in it. I view these conditions as sufficient safeguard against irregular practices, and I am of opinion that the fact that the hon. Member for Wandsworth is Chairman of an Indian railway company should not disqualify him from serving on a Committee on an English Railway 1382 Bill. I am therefore not prepared to take action on that ground.
§ *MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member for Wandsworth is not only Chairman of an Indian railway company but Chairman of a second railway company, and the London agent of a third? [Cries of "Order!"] I would also ask whether, in view of the fact that there are no less than seventy-six railway directors in this House—["Order, order!"]
§ *MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Gentleman is going beyond his Question. The hon. Member for Bath is entitled to notice of any such Question as that.
§ *MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI recognise that, Sir, but in view of the fact that the Committee is probably to meet tomorrow, I ask whether the hon. Member is aware that when the Great Southern and Western Amalgamation Bill was to be considered the hon. Member for Wandsworth was nominated as Chairman of the Committee to which the Bill was referred, and that the Committee rejected him as Chairman on the ground, amongst others, that he was Chairman of an Indian railway company.
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member is going beyond his licence. He is now proceeding to enter into arguments why the hon. Member for Wandsworth should not be appointed.
§ *MR. PATRICK O'BRIENMy object is to ask the Chairman of the Committee of Selection, for the reasons I have advanced, if he will not reconsider the matter.
§ *MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member can ask whether the Chairman, if fresh facts are put before him, will again consider the matter, but he is not entitled to proceed to narrate those fresh facts.
§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)May I ask the hon. Member whether it is the usual practice of the Committee of 1383 Selection to appoint railway directors to act on Committees on Railway Bills?
§ MR. WODEHOUSEI am not aware that it is the usual practice.
§ *MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs it usual to appoint a London agent?
§ [No Answer was returned.]
§ *MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN,later, asked whether the hon. Member for Wandsworth, under the circumstances, intended to serve as Chairman of the Committee on Railway Bills?
§ *MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is not entitled to put a Question to a private Member on a matter which is not on the Order Paper.
§ *MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIt relates to the proceedings of the House, and I warned the hon. Gentleman of my intended action four days ago.
§ *MR. SPEAKERThe Question in these terms is irregular.
§ *MR. PATRICK O'BRIENThe hon. Gentleman is willing to answer it, I think. I thought the hon. Member might as well answer the Question to-day as to-morrow. I do not intend to drop it. I beg to give notice that I will ask my hon. friend the Member for South Westmeath and other Members of this Select Committee if, under the circumstances, they are willing to serve under the Chairmanship of the hon. Member for Wandsworth.