§ The Chairman of Committees (Lord Aberdare)My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ Moved, That the Third Report from the Select Committee be agreed to.—(Lord Aberdare.)
§ The Report was as follows:
§ 1. MINORITY REPORTS
§ The Committee have considered whether there is a case for changing the practice of Parliament that a Report from a Select Committee embodies the text agreed by the majority of the Committee. The view was advanced that where there is a difference of opinion in a Committee the minority should be entitled to express their opinion in a minority report, as is done in the case of Royal Commissions. The Committee, however, endorse the existing parliamentary practice whereby members of a Select Committee who wish to express their dissent move amendments to the Chairman's draft report or propose an alternative draft report. Amendments moved or alternative draft reports proposed are recorded in the Minutes of Proceedings of the Select Committee, together with a record of any vote.
§ The Committee recommend that the Minutes of Proceedings should accompany a Report whenever there has been a difference of opinion.
§ 2. STARRED QUESTIONS
§ The Committee have considered the experiment whereby no Lord is allowed to have more than 3 Starred Questions on the Order Paper at any one time. The experimental period is due to expire on 21st August and the Committee recommend that the experiment should be continued for a further 6 months from that date.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.