HC Deb 27 July 1961 vol 645 cc600-1
Q3. Mrs. Butler

asked the Prime Minister if he will move to appoint a Select Committee to consider revision of Private Bill Procedure and to report.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir.

Mrs. Butler

Is it not a negation of democracy that, on unopposed Bills, a Committee of one peer in another plaice can throw out a Clause after a few minutes' consideration when it has been examined in detail and approved by an all-party Committee in this House; and that there is no redress without the risk of losing the whole Bill?

The Prime Minister

The Private Bill procedure was examined thoroughly in 1955 by a Joint Committee under the chairmanship of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Glenvil Hall). As recently as the summer of 1959 we had a report on the promotion of Private Bills from a Select Committee under the chairmanship of the late Lord Reading. I would observe that these Amendments were agreed to by the House a few days ago.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many valuable Private Members' Bills are killed by methods—

Hon. Members

Oh.

Mr. Speaker

Order. That is a different question.