House of Commons Disqualification Bill

Ballot for Notices of Motions – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 6 March 1957.

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Considered in Committee [Progress, 26th February].

[Sir CHARLES MACANDREW in the Chair]

3.38 p.m.

Photo of Mr William Morrison Mr William Morrison , Cirencester and Tewkesbury

The proposed new Clause, "Members of the House of Lords"— A Member of the House of Lords shall be free to stand for election to the House of Commons. If elected he shall cease to be summoned to attend the House of Lords so long as he is a Member of the House of Commons. —in the name of the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Parker), is outside the scope of the Bill, and is, therefore, out of order.

Photo of Mr John Parker Mr John Parker , Dagenham

Surely, Sir Charles, if a Member of the House of Lords were allowed to sit in the House of Commons, that would be the removal of his disqualification?

Photo of Mr William Morrison Mr William Morrison , Cirencester and Tewkesbury

I do not consider the proposed Clause to be in order.

Photo of Mr John Parker Mr John Parker , Dagenham

Might I draw to your attention, Sir Charles, the fact that if the Clause were carried it would remove a disqualification which at present prohibits a Member of the House of Lords from sitting in this House.

Photo of Mr William Morrison Mr William Morrison , Cirencester and Tewkesbury

The proposed Clause is outside the scope of the Bill and cannot be moved.

Photo of Mr George Wigg Mr George Wigg , Dudley

As a Member of another place is not debarred by legislative action from sitting in this House, it must surely be in order, Sir Charles, on a Bill concerned with disqualification for hon. Members, to move a Clause to make it absolutely clear that, irrespective of any action that may be taken by another place, this House has control over its own membership. Therefore, I submit for your further consideration that the Clause ought to be considered by the Committee.

Photo of Mr William Morrison Mr William Morrison , Cirencester and Tewkesbury

No. It cannot be. In my view, it is outside the scope of the Bill.