On the motion of the Attorney-General a Select Committee of
the House to inquire into the question of Sir S. Samuel's seat, composed of five members of the Coalition and four Unionists, was appointed after a debate in which the balance of argument was entirely against the Government. In particular we may notice the powerful and convincing speech of Lord Balcarres. After a damaging criticism of the precedents adduced by the Attorney-General in support of a Parliamentary Committee, Lord Balcarres pointed out that since 1869, and particularly since 1885, the tendency of the House of Commons had been to withdraw from committees com- posed of members of the House the duty of settling whether such and such a member was entitled to sit and vote in the House. The question at issue was not one of fact but of law. The views of the Indian Government on the subject were clear, and the
responsibility of interpreting the law was one which ought not to be placed on the House of Commons.
