§ The Chairman of Ways and Means (Major Milner)I beg to move,
That, if at any time the Chairman of Ways and Means is of opinion that in order to facilitate the progress of the Bills then referred to the Committee on Unopposed Bills under Standing Order III the adoption of such a course is desirable, he may apportion the Bills between two Committees on Unopposed Bills, the composition and quorum of each being those prescribed by Standing Order III as modified by this Order, and each Committee shall have the assistance of the Counsel to Mr. Speaker, and all the Standing Orders applying to the Committee on Unopposed Bills shall apply to each Committee:That the Chairman of Ways and Means have power to select from the panel appointed under Standing Order III one Member to act as Chairman at every meeting of a Committee on Unopposed Bills at which neither the Chairman of Ways and Means nor the Deputy Chairman is present, and at any such meeting the Member so selected shall be a Member of the Committee in addition to the three Members mentioned in Standing Order III:That during the present Session the Committee of Selection have power to add to the panel appointed under Standing Order III.The House may wish to have a word of explanation from me on this and the other Motion which stand on the Order Paper in my name. This first Motion relates to unopposed Bills and enables or authorises the setting up of a second Unopposed Bills Committee if the press of business requires it. The second Motion enables the Opposed Bills Committee to have the assistance of the Counsel to Mr. Speaker so as to ensure uniformity. Both Motions have been passed in each Session since 1937, and I hope, with that explanation, the House will be good enough to agree thereto.
§ Question put, and agreed to.