HC Deb 31 October 1979 vol 972 cc1390-1

Motion made and Question proposed, That—

  1. (1) A Select Committee shall be appointed to be called the Committee on Scottish affairs, to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Scottish Office and associated public bodies; and the Committee shall consist of a maximum of eleven Members, of which the quorum shall be three.
  2. (2) The Committee shall have power—
    1. (a) to send for persons, papers and records, to sit notwithstanding an adjournment of the House, to adjourn from place to place, and to report from time to time; and
    2. (b) to appoint persons with technical knowledge either to supply information which is not readily available or to elucidate matters of complexity within the Committee's order of reference.
  3. (3) Unless the House otherwise orders, all Members nominated to the Committee appointed under this Order shall continue to be members of the Committee for the remainder of this Parliament.
That this Order be a Standing Order of the House.—[Mr. St. John-Stevas.]

Amendments made: In paragraph (1), leave out 'eleven' and insert 'thirteen' —[Mr. Bruce Millan.]

In paragraph (1), leave out 'three' and insert 'five'.—[Mr. Bruce Millan.]

Main Question, as amended, put and agreed to.

Ordered, That—

  1. (1) A Select Committee shall be appointed, to be called the Committee on Scottish affairs, to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Scottish Office and associated public bodies; and the Committee shall consist of a maximum of thirteen Members, of which the quorum shall be five.
  2. (2) The Committee shall have power—
    1. (a) to send for persons, papers and records, to sit notwithstanding an adjournment of the House, to adjourn from place to place, and to report from time to time and
    2. (b) to appoint persons with technical knowledge either to supply information which is not readily available or to elucidate matters of complexity within the Committee's order of reference.
  3. (3) Unless the House otherwise orders, all Members nominated to the Committee appointed under this Order shall continue to be members of the Committee for the remainder of this Parliament.
That this Order be a Standing Order of the House.

Ordered, That no motion shall be made for the nomination of Members to serve on the Select Committee on Scottish Affairs, or for their discharge, unless:

  1. (a) notice of the motion has been given at least two sitting days previously, and
  2. (b) the motion is made on behalf of the Committee of Selection by the Chairman or by another member of that Committee.—[Mr. St. John-Stevas.]