Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 26 February 1953.
Mr Robert Richards
, Wrexham
12:00,
26 February 1953
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the inadequate time allotted for the discussion of Welsh affairs by the granting of a single day for debate, he will consider moving for the establishment of a Standing Committee for Wales, of which all Welsh representatives would he members, for the more frequent and adequate discussion of Welsh questions.
Mr David Maxwell Fyfe
, Liverpool, West Derby
The hon. Member's proposal might best be considered in the course of discussions on the future arrangements for the consideration of Welsh affairs, about which I put forward a suggestion in my reply to the debate on 22nd January.
Mr Robert Richards
, Wrexham
When will the Home Secretary be able to make a statement on this question? As there was only a slight reference to it in the course of the debate, is the right hon. and learned Gentleman prepared to make a suggestion with regard to what he proposes?
Mr David Maxwell Fyfe
, Liverpool, West Derby
I should be very glad for the discussion which I suggested to take place quite soon. Perhaps those concerned might note what I have said and have an informal word with me, and then we could arrange it.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
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.
