§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY) had given Notice of a Motion to appoint a Select Committee to consider procedure in regard to legislation by Special Orders which require affirmative Resolutions by both Houses of Parliament. The noble Marquess said: My Lords, the Motion which stands in my name is for the re-appointment of a Select Committee which sat in the last Parliament. Your Lordships are familiar, no doubt, with the points raised by that Committee. It had two or three sittings and was not able to conclude its labours. My noble friend the Lord Chairman, who is concerned in all matters of inquiry as to the Orders and procedure of the House and is Chair- 102 man of the Select Committee, does not intend that it should sit during these sittings, but he considers that it would be useful to have the Committee re-appointed in order that any papers may be circulated. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That it is desirable that a Select Committee be appointed to consider the conditions under which in various Acts of Parliament it is provided that schemes or Orders shall acquire or retain the force of law upon the passing of an affirmative Resolution by both Houses of Parliament, and to report whether in so far as the House of Lords is concerned any and, if so, what safeguards in the procedure under which these Resolutions are submitted is required in order to preserve adequate control by Parliament over the provisions of these schemes or Orders, and that the following Lords with the Chairman of Committees be named of the Select Committee—
- M. Salisbury,
- L. Ponsonby (E. Bessborough),
- L. Denman,
- L. Emmott,
- L. Muir Mackenzie,
- L. Stuart of Wortley.
§ (The Marquess of Salisbury.)
§ LORD MUIR MACKENZIEMy Lords, I was concerned to a considerable extent in the appointment of this Committee in the last Parliament and I welcome the Motion made by the Lord Privy Seal. Unquestionably the matter is one of considerable importance. My noble and learned friend Lord Buckmaster made some strenuous observations on the subject when it was last before your Lordships, and I think it is desirable that the Committee should be enabled to complete its examination of the subject.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly.