§ 39. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Lord President of the Council on what criteria the Government base the decision to move to set up a new specialist Committee; and what consultations take place with interested bodies prior to moving for the establishment of such committees.
§ Mr. PeartA number of considerations must clearly enter into any such decision. The extent of interest in the House in a particular line of inquiry, and the availability of Members and officials to staff such a Committee are clearly important factors. Prior consultations take place as necessary.
§ Mr. HamiltonWould my right hon. Friend say what he means by "prior consultations"? Is it not desirable that back-bench Members should take part in these consultations since it is backbench Members who constitute these Committees and who have the greatest interest in questioning, examining and scrutinising the Executive?
§ Mr. PeartI do not dissent from that. I am always available for consultation. I often see groups of Members, from both sides of the House, who raise matters of this sort with me.
§ Mr. WallWould the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the unanimous view expressed by both sides of the House during the debate on the Consolidated Fund Bill on the need for a specialist Committee on defence?
§ Mr. MendelsonWould my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there is a section of opinion which is opposed to the proliferation of these Committees? Would he accept that they can never be a substitute for debate in the House when Government policy is still being formed?
§ Mr. PeartWe must be careful not to proliferate committees. The resources and facilities are important. The Government are still continuing the experiment of specialist Committees. The House will then have to make a major decision.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Wall. Question No. 43.
§ Mr. Charles MorrisonOn a point of order. I have tabled Question No. 42, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerIt was answered with an earlier Question.