§ 46. Sir CHARLES OMANasked the Prime Minister whether he will take into consideration, at some suitable time, the necessity of conferring on the Chairmen of the Standing Committees the same powers for dealing with obstruction, time-wasting and the multiplication of Amendments as are now possessed by Mr. Speaker in this House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThis matter has been considered in the past, and I am very doubtful if it would be the general desire of the House to give such powers as my hon. Friend suggests to the Chairmen of Standing Committees.
§ Sir C. OMANWill my right hon. Friend make inquiries as to what is going on in certain Committees at the present time?
§ Colonel DAYWould the right hon. Gentleman take steps with the Members of his own party to see that they attend punctually, so that there is not a waste of time at the opening of Committee sittings?
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this form of obstruction has been carried on by the Liberals and Tories for a number of years, and is it not unsportsmanlike to say now that a working-class party must not imitate them?