§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That so much of Standing Order 91 as fixes Five as the quorum of the Select Committee on Standing Orders be read and suspended.—[Mr. Broad.]
§ Captain CROOKSHANKMay we have an explanation of this Motion?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is in common form.
§ Mr. BROADIt is usual every year, after Whitsuntide, for the quorum of the Standing Orders Committee to be reduced from five to three, and, to my knowledge, it has never been set aside.
§ Mr. HARRISAre there not enough Members willing to fulfil this function? It seems rather strange. Can we not have some explanation as to why it is necessary, at this stage of the Session, to reduce the number?
§ Mr. BROADIt is common form every year. It is very often difficult to get five Members to attend at this time of the year at the opening of the debate, as the business before the Standing Orders Committee is then of less consequence. It is the usual practice to reduce the quorum to three after Whitsuntide, and it is rarely necessary for the Committee to meet at all.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§
Ordered,
That 60 much of Standing Order 91 as fixes Five as the quorum of the Select Committee on Standing Orders be road and suspended.
§
Ordered,
That, for the remainder of the Session, Three be the quorum of the Committee.