HC Deb 18 December 1928 vol 223 c2805
45. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Prime Minister whether he is able to reply to the request of 512 Members of this House for a Select Committee to take evidence and report on what material is available for a worthy record of the personnel and politics of past Parliaments from 1264 to 1832?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)

His Majesty's Government sympathise with the wishes of those hon. Members who are interested in securing a list which should be more complete than that published in 1878, and they are prepared to agree to the appointment of a Select Committee to report on the materials available. At the same time I must make it clear that the Government, in agreeing to a preliminary survey of this kind cannot in present financial circumstances commit themselves in any way to the expenditure of the large sum of money that would he required to give effect to the object which I understand the right hon. and gallant Member has in view.