Mr Clement Attlee
, Stepney Limehouse
May I ask the Prime Minister what business will be taken after the Whitsun Recess.
Mr Neville Chamberlain
, Birmingham, Edgbaston
The business will be:
Tuesday, 21st May: Supply; Committee [8th Allotted Day]. A Debate on the conduct of the economic war will take place.
Wednesday, 22nd May: Second Reading of the Colonial Development and Welfare Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.
Thursday, 23rd May: Second Reading of the Limitation of Dividends Bill, and, if there is time, the Second Reading of the War Risks Insurance Bill, and Committee Stage of the necessary Money Resolutions.
Mr Clement Attlee
, Stepney Limehouse
I should like to ask a few questions with regard to the business after the Whitsuntide Recess. In regard to Tuesday, 21st May, I take it that if events should prove it necessary to have a Debate on the war situation that that subject will be taken, and that if there should be a proposal to take a Debate on the conduct of the economic war arrangements will be made that that should be taken in Private Session? Secondly, I want to put a question as regards the Motion on the Paper to-day for the Whitsuntide Adjournment. May I ask whether it is understood that that Motion includes the power if necessary, in the event of either internal or external circumstances necessitating it, to recall the House at an earlier date?
Mr Neville Chamberlain
, Birmingham, Edgbaston
Yes, Sir, In answer to the first question, of course if events should make it desirable to have a general Debate on the conduct of the war or a phase of the war in consequence of fresh developments, we shall be ready to arrange it. The second question which he put to me was whether, if we do have a Debate upon the economic war, we could have it in Secret Session. That, I have already said I would be glad to arrange, and, of course, I stand by that arrangement. With regard to the third question, the right hon. Gentleman will remember that on 30th November of last year the House passed a Resolution under which every time we adjourned for a Recess of this kind, power is given to Mr. Speaker to summon the House earlier if, on the advice of the Government, it is felt desirable to do so. Therefore, that applies to the Motion that will be moved to-day as it has done to similar Motions in the past.
Mr Samuel Hammersley
, Willesden East
May I ask whether, in the Debate on economic warfare which may take place in secret, the Resolution will be drawn in such terms as not unduly to restrict the scope of the Debate?
Mr Neville Chamberlain
, Birmingham, Edgbaston
We have no desire unduly to restrict the scope of the Debate, and I will consider the suggestion of my hon. Friend.
The Second Reading is the most important stage for a Bill. It is when the main purpose of a Bill is discussed and voted on. If the Bill passes it moves on to the Committee Stage. Further information can be obtained from factsheet L1 on the UK Parliament website.
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.
