§ 32. Mr. WEDGWOODasked the right hon. Member for the Wansbeck Division, as Chairman of the Committee of Selection, whether his attention has been called to the fact that among the fifteen Members added to Committee B for the Mental Deficiency Bill, as well as on Committee B as originally composed, are to be found none of those who spoke in opposition to the Bill, and only one Member out of the whole seventy who even voted against the Bill; whether he considers this selection satisfactory; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take to set the matter right?
Mr. FENWICK (Chairman of the Committee of Selection)The Committee of Selection have no mean whereby they can ascertain the opinions of hon. Members except by reference to the Debate and Division List. I find that the avowed opponents of the Mental Deficiency Bill have three members on the Grand Committee, and seeing that the Second Reading of this Bill was carried by 368 votes to 11, I consider the selection satisfactory.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman why there are not on that Committee any hon. Members who spoke in opposition to the Bill, seeing that two of those Members applied to be put upon the Committee?
Mr. FENWICKIt is quite true that two Members did apply by letter to be put upon the Committee. One of them informed me that he had no desire to go upon the Committee because he would have an opportunity of moving his Amendments when the Bill was reported to the House. The Committee of Selection do not always follow the line of appointing Members to the Committee who have spoken upon a Bill, especially when they feel that the views of those Members are fairly represented upon the Committee.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODIf the right hon. Gentleman is referring to me, I wish he would read my letter to the House.