HL Deb 15 April 1970 vol 309 cc448-9
THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)

My Lords, in moving this Motion, I think I should explain briefly to the House why I am asking for the appointment of a Select Committee. The purpose of the Committee will be to inquire into the operation of that part of Private Business Standing Order 216 which regulates the procedure of the Special Orders Committee in regard to Public Special Orders. In order to explain why this inquiry is necessary, I would remind the House of the history of this Standing Order. In 1924 a Select Committee of the House was appointed to consider what safe-guards should be set up to preserve Parliamentary control over Schemes and Orders which acquire or retain the force of law upon the passing of an Affirmative Resolution by both Houses. That Committee recommended that a new Standing Order should be drawn up, which is now Standing Order 216.

The class of Statutory Instrument which the Standing Order deals with has inevitably changed in the last forty years. The last occasion on which its operation was examined by a Select Committee was in 1933. It is therefore 37 years since a revision of the procedure of the Standing Orders Committee was con-sidered by a Select Committee of the House. For some time I have felt doubts as to the usefulness of the Standing Order in its present form, particularly where it deals with the nature of the Report that the Special Orders Committee make to the House. I expressed these misgivings to the Special Orders Committee, and they were unanimous in recommending that there should be an inquiry by a Select Committee. My Lords, I beg to move.

Moved, That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report whether any, and if so, what amendment is desirable for Standing Order 216 so far as that Order relates to Special Orders which would, but for the provisions of the Act authorising them, require to be enacted by a Public Bill.

That the Lords following, with the Chairman of Committees, be named of the Committee:

  • L. Champion,
  • L. Helsby,
  • L. Henley,
  • L. Merthyr,
  • L. Nugent of Guildford,
  • L. Strang.
  • —(The Earl of Listowel.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.