Oral Answers to Questions — Naval and Military Pensions and Grants. – in the House of Commons at on 9 December 1929.
Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy
, Kingston upon Hull Central
asked the Prime Minister whether the terms of reference of the Committee on Ministerial Emoluments have now been settled; and whether they will include the question of extra payment to certain Members of the House of Commons who are not members of His Majesty's Government?
Mr Ramsay Macdonald
, Seaham
As regards the first part of the question, the general scope of the inquiry has been settled, but not the actual terms of reference. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on Tuesday last to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Leeds (Mr. Denman). Up to the present I have received no indication that there is a general desire for an inquiry into the question raised.
Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy
, Kingston upon Hull Central
Does that mean that the expression "general scope" does not include the question of the payment of salaries to Leaders of the Opposition?
Mr Ramsay Macdonald
, Seaham
"General scope" is the form of words that I used in accepting the suggestion made by the hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby), but the actual terms of reference have not been settled.
Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy
, Kingston upon Hull Central
Does that mean that it applies only to Ministers' emoluments, and not to those of Leaders of the Opposition?
The House of Commons is one of the houses of parliament. Here, elected MPs (elected by the "commons", i.e. the people) debate. In modern times, nearly all power resides in this house. In the commons are 650 MPs, as well as a speaker and three deputy speakers.
The Opposition are the political parties in the House of Commons other than the largest or Government party. They are called the Opposition because they sit on the benches opposite the Government in the House of Commons Chamber. The largest of the Opposition parties is known as Her Majesty's Opposition. The role of the Official Opposition is to question and scrutinise the work of Government. The Opposition often votes against the Government. In a sense the Official Opposition is the "Government in waiting".
