Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Works – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 20 January 1959.
Mr Jon Rankin
, Glasgow Govan
12:00,
20 January 1959
asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the increasing need for maximum self-government in Scotland; and whether he will consider the appointment of a Speaker's Conference, or similar committee, responsible to Parliament, to consider this matter.
Mr Harold Macmillan
, Bromley
The Royal Commission on Scottish Affairs reported as recently as July, 1954, and I am not aware of any need for a further inquiry into this matter.
Mr Jon Rankin
, Glasgow Govan
Surely, the Prime Minister is aware that the terms of reference of the Royal Commission prevented its considering the points that are raised here. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these matters were raised at a special conference of the Scottish Labour Party last September, and that their feeling was that owing to the increasing pressure of international and United Kingdom matters on the time of the House, Scottish affairs are not receiving the attention that they deserve? Will not the Prime Minister consider such an approach to the problem as is suggested in the Question?
Mr Harold Macmillan
, Bromley
A great deal has been done following the Report of the Royal Commission and by the present Government. The offices of the Ministers have been increased specially for Scotland. There has been the transfer of electricity, highways, justices of the peace and animal health following the recommendations of the Commission. It was fairly recently that the new operation of the Scottish Grand Committee was agreed upon and the Standing Orders were revised only a year ago. While I am quite sure that everything should be done to get full discussion of Scottish questions in the Scottish Grand Committee and elsewhere, I would not have thought the House as a whole was dissatisfied with these new arrangements.
Mr James Hutchison
, Glasgow Scotstoun
Is my right hon. Friend aware that the people of Scotland are, in general terms, perfectly satisfied with the way things are going?
Mr Arthur Woodburn
, Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire
Further to my hon. Friend's supplementary question, will the Prime Minister consider whether the Committee which is now considering the arrangements for the business of the House might not consider whether there could not be a considerable devolution of the detailed business of English, Scottish and Welsh Questions to Committees such as the Scottish Grand Committee, thus relieving the pressure upon the House for the proper consideration of bigger international issues?
Mr Harold Macmillan
, Bromley
It is the Committee on Procedure to which the right hon. Gentleman refers. I have no doubt that its Chairman and members will note what he has said.
Mr Jon Rankin
, Glasgow Govan
On a point of order. Is it in order to have such a Committee, on which there is no Scottish representative other than the Chairman, considering—
Mr William Morrison
, Cirencester and Tewkesbury
Order. That is not a point of order.
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.
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.
