HL Deb 19 May 1992 vol 537 cc551-2

3.10 p.m.

The Chairman of Committees (Lord Ampthill)

My Lords, I beg to move the first Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.

In moving the first Motion, I ought to point out to the House that at its meeting last Thursday the Committee of Selection recommended that, in relation to the Europe Communities Committee and the Science and Technology Committee, the rotation rule should be suspended until 2nd November 1992. This is to allow time for the House to consider the report of the Select Committee chaired by the noble Earl, Lord Jellicoe, on the Committee work of the House. It is proposed that the membership of these two Committees should therefore remain unchanged for the present except for the appointment of Members to replace those who have resigned. I beg to move.

Moved, That a Select Committee be appointed to consider Community proposals, whether in draft or otherwise, to obtain all necessary information about them, and to make reports on those which, in the opinion of the Committee, raise important questions of policy or principle, and on other questions to which the Committee considers that the special attention of the House should be drawn;

That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the Lords following be named of the Committee:

  • L. Aldington,
  • L. Boston of Faversham (Chairman),
  • L. Brain,
  • L. Bridges,
  • L. Bruce of Donington,
  • L. Chalfont,
  • B. David,
  • B. Elles,
  • 552
  • L. Ezra,
  • L. Hunter of Newington,
  • B. Lockwood,
  • L. Lucas of Chilworth,
  • L. Mackay of Ardbrecknish,
  • L. Nathan,
  • L. Pearson of Rannoch,
  • B. Robson of Kiddington,
  • E. Selborne,
  • L. Shepherd,
  • D. Somerset,
  • B. Stedman,
  • L. Thurlow,
  • L. Varley,
  • B. Young.
That the Committee has power to appoint Sub-committees and to refer to such Sub-committees any of the matters within the terms of reference of the Committee; that the Committee has power to appoint the Chairmen of Sub-committees, but that such Sub-committees have power to appoint their own chairman for the purpose of particular enquiries; that two be the quorum of such Sub-committees;

That the Committee has power to co-opt any Lord for the purpose of serving on a Sub-committee;

That the Committee and any Sub-committee have power to adjourn from place to place;

That the Committee has power to appoint specialist advisers;

That the Committee has leave to report from time to time;

That the reports of the Select Committee from time to time shall be printed, notwithstanding any adjournment of the House;

That the minutes of evidence taken before the Committee or any Sub-committee from time to time shall, if the Committee thinks fit, be printed and delivered out;

That the minutes of evidence taken before the European Communities Committee or any Subcommittee in the last Session of Parliament be referred to the Committee;

That the Committee or any Sub-committee appointed by it has leave to confer and to meet concurrently with any Committee of the Commons on European Legislation etc. or any Sub-committee of that Committee for the purpose of deliberating and of examining witnesses; and has leave to agree with the Commons in the appointment of a chairman for any such meeting.—(The Chairman of Committees.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.