Oral Answers to Questions — Naval and Military Pensions and Grants. – in the House of Commons at on 7 February 1929.
Sir Robert Thomas
, Anglesey
asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that at the New Gallery Cinema, Regent Street, on Sunday last, 3rd February, the Film Society presented a film entitled "The End of St. Petersburg," a Russian picture commissioned for propaganda purposes in connection with the tenth anniversary of the Russian revolution; that during the presentation of the film the words, All power to the Soviet, appeared; that these words were cheered and the National Anthem hissed; and what action he proposes to take?
Mr William Joynson-Hicks
, Twickenham
Yes, Sir, I am aware that this film was exhibited at a meeting of the Film Society last Sunday, and that there was some demonstration on the appearance of the words mentioned. The society state that no demonstration of any kind save that of respectful attention was remarked by members of the council during the playing of the National Anthem. I may add that a colleague in this House who was present assured me that the National Anthem was properly received by all the people at the meeting. The Film Society is authorised by the London County Council to exhibit privately on Sunday afternoons to a restricted audience of members and their friends films which have not been passed by the British Board of Film Censors, subject to certain conditions, of which one is that no film likely to lead to disorder or to bo in any way offensive in the circumstances to public feeling shall be exhibited. I have drawn the attention of the London County Council to the exhibition of this film, and they will no doubt consider whether it comes within the condition referred to. I am disposed to think, from information that has reached me independently, that such incidents as occurred have been exaggerated, and I do not contemplate any further action in the matter.
Sir Robert Thomas
, Anglesey
May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool (Mr. T. P. O'Connor) is an official censor; if not, whether the right hon. Gentleman does not consider that the time has arrived for the appointment of at least two or three official film censors?
Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy
, Daventry
That question does not arise out of the answer.
Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy
, Kingston upon Hull Central
Are we to understand that, while this was going on, the right hon. Gentleman left this city for a week-end in the country, and that these matters were only brought to his attention by the hon. Baronet the Member for Anglesey (Sir R. Thomas)? How is it that the right hon. Gentleman has to have his attention drawn to such a terrible—[Interruption.]
The House of Commons votes by dividing. Those voting Aye (yes) to any proposition walk through the division lobby to the right of the Speaker and those voting no through the lobby to the left. In each of the lobbies there are desks occupied by Clerks who tick Members' names off division lists as they pass through. Then at the exit doors the Members are counted by two Members acting as tellers. The Speaker calls for a vote by announcing "Clear the Lobbies". In the House of Lords "Clear the Bar" is called. Division Bells ring throughout the building and the police direct all Strangers to leave the vicinity of the Members’ Lobby. They also walk through the public rooms of the House shouting "division". MPs have eight minutes to get to the Division Lobby before the doors are closed. Members make their way to the Chamber, where Whips are on hand to remind the uncertain which way, if any, their party is voting. Meanwhile the Clerks who will take the names of those voting have taken their place at the high tables with the alphabetical lists of MPs' names on which ticks are made to record the vote. When the tellers are ready the counting process begins - the recording of names by the Clerk and the counting of heads by the tellers. When both lobbies have been counted and the figures entered on a card this is given to the Speaker who reads the figures and announces "So the Ayes [or Noes] have it". In the House of Lords the process is the same except that the Lobbies are called the Contents Lobby and the Not Contents Lobby. Unlike many other legislatures, the House of Commons and the House of Lords have not adopted a mechanical or electronic means of voting. This was considered in 1998 but rejected. Divisions rarely take less than ten minutes and those where most Members are voting usually take about fifteen. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P9 at the UK Parliament site.
