A service from mySociety A service from mySociety

TheyWorkForYou

Menu

Oral Answers to Questions — Judges and Magistrates (Prison Visits).

– in the House of Commons at on 5 August 1924.

Alert me about debates like this

Mr. EDMUND HARVEY:

62.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any record has been kept of the number of visits paid in recent years to prisons by His Majesty's Judges and by magistrates other than visiting magistrates?

Mr. DAVIES:

The answer is in the negative.

Photo of Mr Innes Stranger Mr Innes Stranger , Newbury

Does the hon. Gentleman not think it desirable that Judges and magistrates should visit prisons in order to administer justice properly? Will he take steps to invite Judges and magistrates to visit a prison?

Photo of Mr Cahir Healy Mr Cahir Healy , Fermanagh and Tyrone

How many prisoners have been dealt with in the internment camp at Larne? What arrangements have been made with regard to visits there?

Photo of Sir Philip Colfox Sir Philip Colfox , Dorset Western

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many visits have been paid to prison by members of the Labour party in capacities other than those of visitors?

Mr. HARVEY:

63.

asked the Home Secretary whether steps have been, or will be, taken to invite all magistrates actually undertaking duties upon the Bench to visit a prison within an early date of their first undertaking these duties?

Mr. DAVIES:

My right hon. Friend has no reason to suppose that there is any need to remind magistrates of their right to visit any prison to which their Bench may commit prisoners. Magistrates are not appointed by my right hon. Friend, but he will consider, in consultation with the Lord Chancellor, whether it would be feasible to invite newly-appointed magistrates to visit a prison.

Mr. HARVEY:

I am much obliged for that answer. May I ask the hon. Member whether he is aware that sometimes magistrates sit for 20 years on the Bench without ever visiting a prison?

Photo of Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha , Plymouth, Devonport

Are not the only occasions on which they do visit prisons when they are conscientious objectors, when they are immediately removed from their job? [Interruption.]

Photo of Mr Hugh Ferguson Mr Hugh Ferguson , Motherwell

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Is any hon. Member entitled—[Interruption.]

Photo of Mr John Whitley Mr John Whitley , Halifax

If the hon. Member has a point of Order to raise, would he please address the Chair?

Photo of Mr Hugh Ferguson Mr Hugh Ferguson , Motherwell

I was asking whether the word "swine" was permissible?

Photo of Mr John Whitley Mr John Whitley , Halifax

If the hon. Member has a point of Order to raise, will he please not swing his arms across the House, but address me.

Photo of Mr Hugh Ferguson Mr Hugh Ferguson , Motherwell

I heard the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan) describe us as swine.

Photo of Mr John Whitley Mr John Whitley , Halifax

It is quite out of Order for the hon. Member to point across the House.

Photo of Mr Hugh Ferguson Mr Hugh Ferguson , Motherwell

Is it in order for any hon. Member of this House to use the word "swine" to another hon. Member? It is a gutter-snipe sort of expression.

Photo of Mr John Whitley Mr John Whitley , Halifax

Certainly it is grossly disorderly to use such a word. So, also, is the phrase used by the hon. Member.

Photo of Mr Hugh Ferguson Mr Hugh Ferguson , Motherwell

I do not like these corner boys.

Secretary of State

Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Lord Chancellor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Chancellor

Speaker

The Speaker is an MP who has been elected to act as Chairman during debates in the House of Commons. He or she is responsible for ensuring that the rules laid down by the House for the carrying out of its business are observed. It is the Speaker who calls MPs to speak, and maintains order in the House. He or she acts as the House's representative in its relations with outside bodies and the other elements of Parliament such as the Lords and the Monarch. The Speaker is also responsible for protecting the interests of minorities in the House. He or she must ensure that the holders of an opinion, however unpopular, are allowed to put across their view without undue obstruction. It is also the Speaker who reprimands, on behalf of the House, an MP brought to the Bar of the House. In the case of disobedience the Speaker can 'name' an MP which results in their suspension from the House for a period. The Speaker must be impartial in all matters. He or she is elected by MPs in the House of Commons but then ceases to be involved in party politics. All sides in the House rely on the Speaker's disinterest. Even after retirement a former Speaker will not take part in political issues. Taking on the office means losing close contact with old colleagues and keeping apart from all groups and interests, even avoiding using the House of Commons dining rooms or bars. The Speaker continues as a Member of Parliament dealing with constituent's letters and problems. By tradition other candidates from the major parties do not contest the Speaker's seat at a General Election. The Speakership dates back to 1377 when Sir Thomas Hungerford was appointed to the role. The title Speaker comes from the fact that the Speaker was the official spokesman of the House of Commons to the Monarch. In the early years of the office, several Speakers suffered violent deaths when they presented unwelcome news to the King. Further information can be obtained from factsheet M2 on the UK Parliament website.