Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies. – in the House of Commons at on 19 November 1941.
Mr Irving Albery
, Gravesend
I wish to raise a point of Order, arising out of the Order Papers at present in the possession of the House. I am sorry, Mr. Speaker, I could not give you notice of it, as I have only just observed the matter myself. On page 119, the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Loftus) appears to two Amendments to the Motion for the Address. I have understood that no Member's name can appear to two Amendments, and I should like to have a Ruling on that point. Several Members desire to have their names to an Amendment put down by myself and other hon. Members, but may not do so because their names already appear with some other Amendment.
Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy
, Daventry
I understand that there has been a mistake. It would be out of Order for a name to appear to two Amendments.
Mr Pierse Loftus
, Lowestoft
I regret that I made a mistake by allowing my name to appear to two Amendments, and I have withdrawn my name in respect of the one at the bottom of page 119.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
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.
