Mr. HEALYIs it not rather hard in a thin House to proceed with a Bill of this kind? I do not want to offer needless opposition, but it seems to me rather hard, after the day we have had, to proceed with a Bill of this kind in the absence of most Members.
§ Sir G. CAVEI hope the Members will come in. It is important that we should get the Committee stage to-day. Those who are not able to be here will be able to put their Amendments down for the Report stage to-morrow.
§ The CHAIRMANThe Amendments in the name of the hon. Member for West Bradford to this and certain other Clauses go beyond the scope of the Bill.
§ Mr. JOWETTIt is the Ministries and Secretaries Bill. Does not the word "Ministry" cover the proposal? It is not a "Ministers," but a "Ministries" Bill, and it comes, I contend, within the scope of the word "Ministries."
§ The CHAIRMANI am afraid not. The hon. Member brings forward a well-known proposal to establish a series of Parliamentary Committees. That is a proposal which may be very good, but I do not think it can be attached to a Bill of this kind.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.