ADJOURNMENT. (Hansard, 22 May 1890)

§ EARL BEAUCHAMP
On the Motion for the Adjournment I will take the opportunity of suggesting, with regard to the minute examination of Bills, that if the noble and learned Lord Herschell and the noble Lord who sits near him would bring to bear in this House that minute and valuable criticism which they bring to bear in Committees upstairs we should all benefit very much. I really must say that I think the noble and learned Lord opposite is alike the sole cause and vindication of the system of Standing Committees upstairs.

§ *LORD BRABOURNE
I wish to call the noble Marquess's attention to one fact. He states that nothing has been withdrawn from the consideration of the House by referring Bills to a Grand Committee. I cannot agree in that. Take, for instance, the General Standing Committee. I am not a Member of that Committee, but I am a Member of the Committee on Law. I was told that if I applied I could be nominated on both Committees. On inquiry I found that the number of Peers which could be added to the other Committee was limited, and when I asked to be put on it I found it was not possible to be done. Only certain noble Lords are Members of that Committee, and the power of discussing such Bills as go before it is practically taken away from 1559 those noble Lords who are not Members of that Committee. It is not in human nature to get up in this House and recommence a discussion upon a Bill which, one knows has already been fully discussed upstairs.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
I would only reply to what my noble Friend has said that that limitation of Members appears to be an error which I think it might be very desirable to correct. I think any such result as he has related was certainly not contemplated and ought not to have taken place. There should be no difficulty in adding to a Grand Committee any noble Lord who desires to be a Member of it. But I cannot admit that it is not in human nature to discuss again in this House a Bill which has been already discussed upstairs in Committee. There are G70 specimens of human nature legislating a "little further down the House, and I believe those 670 specimens of human nature find no difficulty in discussing, and discussing at considerable length, Bills which have previously been dealt with upstairs.