27. Major GUESTasked the Prime Minister, in view of the present Grand Committee system and of the fact that it would appear a complete impossibility for Members to follow the daily proceedings of a number of such Committees besides the debates on the floor of the House, whether he will arrange that a précis of the proceedings of all such Committees be printed and circulated to all Members prior to the Report Stage of any Bill, in order that Members may become acquainted with the amended Bill and familiarise themselves with the main points of alteration and contention?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIn most cases an OFFICIAL REPORT is published of the proceedings of the Grand Committees, and is available to Members.
§ Mr. T. P. O'CONNORMay I call your attention, Mr. Speaker, and that of the Prime Minister to the fact that sometimes the proceedings of very important Standing Committees remain wihout any report owing to the fact that there is no provision made for a report of the proceedings of those Committees? May I suggest to the Prime Minister—I do not know whether it is in your authority or his—that a rule should be passed that the proceedings of all the Standing Committees should be officially reported?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question has been frequently discussed in this House, and the decision we came to was that it should be left to me to make arrangements for the reporting of the Committees.