HC Deb 23 February 1926 vol 192 cc485-6

Ordered, That a Select Committee be appointed, to whom shall be referred all Petitions presented to the House, with the exception of such as relate to Private Bills; and that such Committee do classify and prepare abstracts of the same, in such form and manner as shall appear to them best suited to convey to the House all requisite information respecting their contents, and do report the same from time to time to the House; and that the Reports of the Committee do set forth, in respect of each Petition, the number of signatures which are accompanied by addresses, and which are written on sheets headed in every case by the prayer of the Petition, provided that on every sheet after the first the prayer may be reproduced in print or by other mechanical process; and that such Committee have power to direct the printing in extenso of such Petitions, or of such parts of Petitions, as shall appear to require it; and that such Committee shall have power to report their opinion and observations thereupon to the House."—[Colonel Gibbs.]

Motion made, and Question proposed, That Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte, Major Ainsworth, Mr. Batey, Mr. Blundell, Captain Bourne, Sir William Bull, Sir Charles Cayzer, Mr. Clarry, Mr. Clowes, Mr. John Guest, Lieut.-Colonel James, Major Kenyon-Slaney, Mr. Foot Mitchell. Sir Robert Thomas, and Mr. Robert Wilson be nominated members of the Committee."—[Colonel Gibbs.]

Mr. MACLEAN

Which of these Members represents Scotland on this Committee?

Colonel GIBBS (Treasurer of the Household)

This Committee has been set up in the usual manner. The Whips of all parties have been consulted. If any Members who come from Scotland wish that country to be represented on the Committee, they should make representations through the usual channels—the Whips of their party.

Mr. MACLEAN

There is no Scottish representative among this list of members, and I object to the list being passed to-night without such representation.

Colonel GIBBS

I have no objection to the postponement of the Motion relating to the names of the proposed members of the Committee, in order to give the hon. Member an opportunity of approaching his own party Whips in the matter.

Mr. MACLEAN

I think it would be the wiser course and it may save heart-burning afterwards.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Ordered, That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records.

Ordered, That three be the quorum."—[Colonel Gibbs.]

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.

It being after Half-past Eleven of the Clock upon Tuesday evening, Mr. SPEAKER adjourned the House, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.

Adjourned at Five Minutes after Twelve o'Clock.