HC Deb 22 June 1931 vol 254 cc1-2

Standing Order 98.—(Committee on Standing Orders).

The CHAIRMAN of WAYS and MEANS (Sir Robert Young)

I beg to move, in line 6, after the word "and," to insert the words "not less than."

I move this Amendment for the purpose of securing a quorum at the Standing Orders Committee. Under the present Standing Order, three makes a quorum, and I want the Standing Order to read "not less than two," in order that we may be able to get a quorum.

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

May I ask the hon. Gentleman why in this matter of forming a quorum he wants two Members selected by himself? In these days we have to be very careful of the privileges of private Members, and they cannot be too safely guarded from attack. Why does the Chairman of Committees want these two particular Members? Has there been any real failure in getting a quorum?

Sir R. YOUNG

I am afraid that the hon. Member does not understand the Standing Order. The Standing Order lays down that two from the panel shall be called upon as the Standing Orders Committee, and the Standing Orders Committee is two and the Chairman, and, if two do not turn up, it delays the business. Consequently if three or four Members are summoned it is more certain that the necessary quorum will meet and thus facilitate the business of the Committee.

Amendment agreed to.