Part of Oral Answers to Questions — West Indies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 12 March 1947.
Mr Arthur Jones
, Shipley
12:00,
12 March 1947
The Government of Trinidad attaches importance to the development of manufacturing industries, and a Standing Committee sits regularly to hear and report to the Government on applications for assistance. The Government have not so far thought it necessary to take action on the lines suggested by my hon. and learned Friend, though such a proposal is not excluded from consideration. I am informed, however, that a public company has been formed by local business men, to be known as the Caribbean Development Company Limited, which proposes to erect factories for the manufacture among other things of paper, glass, plywood, beer, nails and caustic soda.
In a normal session there are up to ten standing committees on bills. Each has a chair and from 16 to 50 members. Standing committee members on bills are appointed afresh for each new bill by the Committee of Selection which is required to take account of the composition of the House of Commons (ie. party proportions) as well as the qualification of members to be nominated. The committees are chaired by a member of the Chairmen's Panel (whose members are appointed by the Speaker). In standing committees the Chairman has much the same function as the Speaker in the House of Commons. Like the Speaker, a chairman votes only in the event of a tie, and then usually in accordance with precedent. The committees consider each bill clause by clause and may make amendments. There are no standing committees in the House of Lords.
