Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons at on 14 September 1931.
Mr Edgar Granville
, Eye
(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary whether he is in a position to make any statement with reference to the Sunday Performances (Regulation) Bill?
Sir H. SAMUEL:
The Standing Committee to which the Sunday Performances (Regulation) Bill was referred has made substantial progress in its consideration of the Clauses, and a number of Amendments have been dealt with. It is doubtful, however, whether the Bill, when it returns to the House for the Report stage and Third Reading, will be regarded as substantially non-controversial. If not, in accordance with the general policy announced by the Government, it would not be possible, in present circumstances, to proceed with it. I am advised, however, that if no legislative action is taken, the London County Council, and other authorities concerned, could not postpone indefinitely the enforcement of the law, as declared by the Courts, and would be obliged to require the closing of the cinemas which are now open on Sundays, on certain conditions, in London and elsewhere. The Government has to take into account the opinion of Parliament, as expressed on the Second Reading of the Bill in the House of Commons, that this is not desired. They would therefore be prepared, if the present Bill is still regarded as controversial, to introduce a short Bill designed only to preserve the status quo for a period of one year, if they could be assured that this course would, in the general opinion of the House, be the best means of dealing with the situation. In that case, if the present Bill were withdrawn, the points at issue would be left in abeyance until Parliament was better able than now to give its attention to the problems which they present.
Sir Rhys Morris
, Cardiganshire
Is it not possible, for the period of one year contemplated by the Bill, to enforce the law as it stands?
Sir Rhys Morris
, Cardiganshire
If the Bill is not introduced and passed, why should not the law be enforced?
Sir H. SAMUEL:
The opinion of the House, expressed by a Majority on Second Reading, was that some action should be taken in the matter.
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.
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.
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The term "majority" is used in two ways in Parliament. Firstly a Government cannot operate effectively unless it can command a majority in the House of Commons - a majority means winning more than 50% of the votes in a division. Should a Government fail to hold the confidence of the House, it has to hold a General Election. Secondly the term can also be used in an election, where it refers to the margin which the candidate with the most votes has over the candidate coming second. To win a seat a candidate need only have a majority of 1.
