MUSICAL COPYRIGHT BILL. (Hansard, 10 July 1930)

Mr. TINNE
On a point of Order. It is stated in Erskine May, page 487, that: It is usual to present the report, evidence and appendix together, with regard to proceedings in a Select Committee. In the Votes and Proceedings of the 3rd July, the Musical Copyright Bill was reported, without amendment, from the Select Committee, with a special report, minutes of evidence and appendices. The report and the special report are to lie on the Table, but not the minutes of evidence. The special report is not, in my view, in accordance with the evidence.

§ Mr. BECKETT
On a point of Order. Is it in order for the hon. Member to address you, Mr. Speaker, when recumbent against the pillar?

Mr. TINNE
Is it not within your power, Mr. Speaker, to insist on the procedure of the House in this matter and refuse to allow the report to go forth unless the evidence is published simultaneously with it, in order that the House, the Press and the public may draw their own conclusions?

§ Mr. COMPTON
In a minority of one.

§ Mr. SPEAKER
It seems rather doubtful whether this matter concerns me at all. I understand that the report and special report were brought up on Thursday last. They will be circulated as soon as possible, probably to-morrow. The evidence, to which the hon. Member refers will, as is the custom, be circulated in due course, but the hon. Member must bear in mind that it will take some time, especially with long evidence and the amount of printing that is done nowadays, to correct it, index it, and print it. I can assure him that the usual course is being pursued.