§ 2.38 p.m.
§ LORD SILKINMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name, on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask the Chairman of Committees when he intends to set up the Committee promised by him on May 21 last.]
THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEESMy Lords, on May 21 I said that I would welcome an inquiry by a Select Committee, or preferably a Joint Committee, into the principle relating to County Council Bills which I had put to the House on May 13—namely, that a County Council Bill should not confer on local authorities or any other authority or person functions in which the county council has no interest. I had hoped to put the Motion on the Paper before the Summer Recess. For a number of reasons, however, I am not yet in a position to do so. The present situation is that discussions are going on both here and in another place in order to see whether a Joint Committee can be set up. I still regard myself as under an obligation in this matter and shall certainly do my best to ensure that a Motion is put down early in the next Session for either a Joint Committee or a Select Committee.
§ LORD SILKINMy Lords, I am obliged for that Answer. May I take it that the noble Lord would still prefer a Joint Select Committee rather than a Committee of this House alone?
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, will the noble Lord please bear in mind that if there should arise the question of having a Select Committee of this House alone, many of us would feel bound to submit strongly that the Business which would be referred to it is Business for both Houses of Parliament and not for a Select Committee of this House alone. That might lead to further difficulty.
§ THE EARL OF SWINTONMy Lords, may I ask whether the Leader of the Opposition would use his best endeavours 386 to achieve what we all want—a Joint Committee of both Houses?
LORD SALTOUNMy Lords, when the noble Lord is considering this matter, would he also consider whether a great many practical advantages may not attach to the rather indeterminate way in which the matter stands at the present moment? In practice I think it works extremely well.