HC Deb 02 July 1969 vol 786 cc428-9
40. Mr. Henig

asked the Lord President of the Council on what criteria he proposes the appointment of specialist committees of the House of Commons.

Mr. Peart

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) on 2nd April.

Mr. Henig

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the situation with regard to specialist committees is quite unsatisfactory, that there are areas of interest to many hon. Members which are inadequately debated, such as foreign affairs and defence, and for which there ought to be Committees? Ought not the whole matter to be looked at again when, clearly, there are no clear criteria for appointing Committees, and when we do appoint them we do not have time, apparently, according to my right hon. Friend, to discuss their findings?

Mr. Peart

My hon. Friend should not use such extreme epithets and language as "unsatisfactory". [Interruption.] Am I to be allowed to answer? I would just point out to my hon. Friend that we have conducted a series of extremely important experiments, affecting many Departments. Let us see how they go. Let us see how they succeed, and then I shall be delighted to consider expanding them further, if necessary.