– in the House of Commons at on 31 March 1926.
Mr George Buchanan
, Glasgow Gorbals
I rise to ask for your guidance, Mr. Speaker, on a comparatively minor point, but one of some importance to Scottish Members. Under the Local Legislation (Scotland) Act, 1899, it is in the purview of the Chairman of Ways and Means, in the case of a Scottish Bill dealing with local legislation, to have it considered here in London if he thinks the subject matter of sufficient importance to warrant that course. On the other hand, the Chairman of Ways and Means under this Act can send such a Bill, if he chooses, to Scotland to be considered by a Committee, there. The case which I wish to cite concerns a Provisional Order Bill promoted by the Greenock Corporation. I have carefully watched the Parliamentary Papers for some notice regarding that Bill which contains a Clause of tremendous importance to a large number of Scottish Members, if not to other Members from other parts of the country. That Bill, instead of being retained here to go through the ordinary course of procedure, is being sent up to Edinburgh to go before a local Committee. I wish to know if I have any Parliamentary means of raising the issue as to whether or not it is right to send a Bill containing a Clause of this character to be dealt with in Edinburgh. The Bill was never advertised, and up to this stage we have had no opportunity of raising the matter.
Mr John Whitley
, Halifax
I think the hon. Member has not read the Act with sufficient care—I mean the Local Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act, 1899. If he will look at it again, he will see that under Section 2 all Scottish petitions for powers must be heard in Scotland, unless the Chairman of Ways and Means in this House and the Chairman in The other House together think these are of such a nature that they ought to be considered here at Westminster. That is just the other way round from what the hon. Member has suggested. That is the duty of the two Chairmen set forth in Section 2 of the Act, and they have to perform that duty under the conditions set out in the Statute.
Mr George Buchanan
, Glasgow Gorbals
I was aware that the two Chairmen had the right to decide whether or not a Bill was of sufficient importance to be retained here. My point is that in this case they have allowed a Bill, which has never been properly advertised and which contains a Clause of great importance to many Members of this House, to go to Edinburgh, and I wish to know if I have any Parliamentary means of raising the question as to why a Bill with such an important Clause hidden in it, should go to Edinburgh instead of going through the ordinary process here.
Mr John Whitley
, Halifax
I am afraid that the form of procedure laid down in the Statute is not a matter which can be reviewed by the House.
Mr George Buchanan
, Glasgow Gorbals
Have we no way of raising the question of the conduct of the Chairman of Ways and Means and the other Chairman in this matter? I do not mean to make any implication whatever as regards their honesty in any way, but, merely as a matter of Parliamentary procedure, can we not question why they have taken this action?
Mr John Whitley
, Halifax
No, certainly not. But the hon. Member must recollect that these Provisional Orders have to come up at a later stage for confirmation by Parliament There will then be an opportunity when he can raise any question, if his point be not dealt with by the Committee which sits in Scotland.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
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.
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