HL Deb 24 July 1876 vol 230 cc1767-8

Report of the Select Committee considered (according to Order).

LORD REDESDALE

, in drawing attention to the Report of the Select Committee on Parliamentary Agency, said that the matter was one of considerable importance in connection with the Private Business of Parliament. It was most desirable to secure the proper performance of their duties by Parliamentary Agents, and to prevent the employment of persons who were not very competent to undertake those duties. The Committee which had been appointed recommended that there should be a recognized body of Parliamentary Agents. It was obvious that such Business could not be properly transacted unless it were undertaken by men properly acquainted with the course of Parliamentary Business; and there should be a due scale of fees, so that those who discharged the work should be properly remunerated. He moved that the Report of the Select Committee be received.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

said, he was not aware that the noble Lord the Chairman of Committees intended to move the reception of the Report, which had only been presented a week ago, and related to a matter of a most important character, and he did not think their Lordships ought to agree to it off-hand. It was proposed to create a class, an exclusive body, and that ought not to be done until after Notice and after grave and careful consideration. The Report provided that the fact that a per- son was a solicitor or called to the Bar was not sufficient to qualify him for the duties of Parliamentary Agent; he must pass a special examination. He should like to know what the examination was to be about.

LORD REDESDALE

It would relate to Parliamentary practice.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

said, he wanted to know what was Parliamentary practice. He maintained that any person enrolled as a solicitor or called to the Bar was fit to practise as a Parliamentary Agent, and in a few weeks could obtain all the special knowledge that was necessary. He hoped his noble Friend would not press their Lordships to come to any decision that day—he thought it was a matter which might very well stand over.

LORD REDESDALE

said, he should not press the Motion; but if anything was to be done, they had now but a short time to do it in.

Further consideration adjourned to Friday next.