Oral Answers to Questions — Germany – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 17 February 1954.
Mr Arthur Lewis
, West Ham North
12:00,
17 February 1954
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will not support or assist in any way a rearmed Germany, where these any way a re-armed Germany, where these armed forces contain Nazis or former Nazis.
Mr Selwyn Lloyd
, Wirral
Our Treaty with the countries belonging to the European Defence Community will oblige us to give assistance in the event of an armed attack upon any of them. The best safeguard against a revival of Nazi or militaristic principles in Germany is the European Defence Community in which a German defence contribution will be integrated. It would be unrealistic to require that every soldier in the German contribution should be free from all past Nazi connections, and none of the four occupying Powers has applied this principle in connection with other branches of the public service.
Mr Arthur Lewis
, West Ham North
That surely means that a Nazi can join the German Army. Am I to assume that if a person had Nazi connections in the past or has them at the present time, he would, in fact, be permitted to join the German Army, and that Her Majesty's Government would not object in any way?
Mr Selwyn Lloyd
, Wirral
I think that something would depend upon rank. It is laid down in the arrangements for the E.D.C. Treaty that senior appointments for the E.D.C. forces would be a matter for the Community itself.
Sir Frank Medlicott
, Norfolk Central
Surely we should remember that it was less than nine years ago that we were fighting for our lives against the Nazis, and that we must neglect no means of ensuring that the people who believe in this detestable doctrine shall never again regain power and control?
Mr Selwyn Lloyd
, Wirral
I entirely agree with my hon. and gallant Friend, but we also have to see that we do not create conditions in which Nazism arises again.
Mr William Warbey
, Broxtowe
There is a Question on the Order Paper today in my name addressed to the Foreign Secretary and it has been put down in the wrong place. It is for Written answer but it should have been for Oral answer.
[To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the right of an all-German Government, before and after the conclusion of a peace treaty enabling them to defend themselves, to form and maintain national armed forces without limit as to size, type or armament, and the right to import or to manufacture any type of military weapon.]
I tabled it for Oral answer on Monday, but as I already had three Questions down for Oral answer it was put down for Written answer. During Question Time on Monday I went to the Table and asked that it be deferred until today for Oral answer. In these circumstances, may I have an Oral answer now?
Mr William Morrison
, Cirencester and Tewkesbury
I cannot possibly allow that now. I do not know what happened.
Mr William Morrison
, Cirencester and Tewkesbury
I could not allow that. I must inquire into the facts.
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.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
The order paper is issued daily and lists the business which will be dealt with during that day's sitting of the House of Commons.
It provides MPs with details of what will be happening in the House throughout the day.
It also gives details of when and where the standing committees and select committees of the Commons will be meeting.
Written questions tabled to ministers by MPs on the previous day are listed at the back of the order paper.
The order paper forms one section of the daily vote bundle and is issued by the Vote Office
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
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.
