HC Deb 04 June 1913 vol 53 cc877-8
49. Lord ROBERT CECIL

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to move the appointment of the promised Select Committee on Procedure?

The PRIME MINISTER

When the appointment of the Committee was moved on several occasions, numerous objections were made from all quarters of the House. We agreed to set up the Committee at the request of private Members, and unless there is substantial agreement on the matter the Government will not press its appointment.

Lord R. CECIL

Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that he gave a perfectly definite pledge that such a Committee would be appointed, and that on the faith of that pledge I withdrew my Amendment to the Address?

The PRIME MINISTER

And I have fulfilled my pledge.

Lord R. CECIL

No.

The PRIME MINISTER

Yes, by putting down the Motion. If the Noble Lord will make some effort to get the opposition to that Motion withdrawn—

Lord R. CECIL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the opposition almost entirely comes from hon. Gentlemen sitting behind him? As far as I know, no single Motion has been nut down by any hon. Gentleman on this side of the House.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is it not the case that the opposition is largely due to the fact that the members of the Committee were largely nominated by hon. Gentlemen opposite?

The PRIME MINISTER

The nomination of the Committee was as fair and impartial as it possibly could be. Personally, I am anxious for its appointment, but I cannot press the Motion unless it has the general assent of the House.

Mr. SHERWELL

Is it not the fact that the objections from this side of the House to the Motion are based on the selections to the Committee, and not on the appointment of the Committee itself?

Mr. JAMES HOPE

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that the greater part of the objection to the Committee is that, with the exception of my Noble Friend and myself, the members are too official and respectable?

The PRIME MINISTER

I think the official element has been most carefully excluded.

Lord R. CECIL

I give notice that I shall raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment to-night.