HC Deb 14 May 1919 vol 115 cc1603-4
Commander BELLAIRS (by Private Notice)

asked the Leader of the House whether, when important Clauses or important matters connected with a Bill are under discussion in Standing Committee, will the Government take steps to ensure the presence of a Minister of Cabinet rank? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the Debate on the Women's Enfranchisement Bill this morning in Standing Committee when the proposal to enfranchise all women on the same basis as men was under discussion, there was no member of Cabinet rank at the Committee?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I will see what can be done about that. The Government, of course, recognise that it is part of the whole scheme of Grand Committees that they should be treated by the Government in precisely the same way as the House of Commons. If that were not done, the Grand Committee scheme would not work, and I will do all I can to make sure that it is done.

Mr. MacVEAGH

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us, since he wants the Committees to be treated with the same consideration as the House of Commons, what steps he has taken to secure the attend- ance of a quorum at the meetings of those Committees, and also what steps he has taken in order to secure the proper reporting of the proceedings of those Committees?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The Government are, I believe, taking all the steps they can to secure the attendance of a quorum. The House, of course, knows that, owing to the number of important Bills, the amount of work is greater than it has ever been before and it will recognise the difficulty. As regards reports I am sorry to hear that there is any complaint.

Mr. J. JONES

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to arrange that Members shall not be put on too many Committees, but that there shall be equality of work on Committees for all Members?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The hon. Member, I am sure, knows that the selection does not depend on the Government, but I hope that everything possible has been done in that direction.

Mr. MacVEAGH

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that a large number of these Committees are not being reported at all?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Of course that is perfectly true. The arrangement come to at the time the procedure Resolutions were carried was that they could be reported on the instructions of Mr. Speaker, but it was not arranged to report all of them.