Committal to Select Committee

The Chief Minister: May it please you, Sir, under the provisions of Standing Order No. 48, I now move,

That this Bill be committed to a Select Committee.

As hon. Members know, no notice is required of this motion. In view of the experience of the public of Select Committees in years gone by - they had a habit of babbling like the interminable brook - may I express the hope that the Select Committee's Report will be in your hands, Sir, in time for debate during the August sitting of this House?

Mr Francis Thomas: Sir, I second it.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Bill be committed to a Select Committee.

Mr Speaker: Please name your Members, Mr Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister: Under the provisions, Sir, of Standing Order -

Mr Speaker: I will explain the position, Mr Chief Minister. Standing Order No. 62 does not refer to a Select Committee on a Bill, as you can see.

"A Select Committee other than a Sessional Committee shall be appointed on motion made after notice given ...".

There is some sort of defect in that Standing Order, but my ruling is that Standing Order No. 62 does not apply to a Select Committee on a Bill. You could, of course, move that the Members be appointed by the Committee of Selection.

The Chief Minister: I am deeply obliged, Sir, for your ruling. In the circumstances, may I seek leave to move,

That the Members of the Select Committee be nominated by the Committee of Selection.

Mr A. A. Williams: I beg to second.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That the Members of the Select Committee be nominated by the Committee of Selection.