Mr William Warbey
, Ashfield
12:00,
4 December 1961
I desire to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, Mr. Speaker, under Standing Order No. 9 for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely,
the violation by Her Majesty's Government of Articles 25 and 49 of the United Nations Charter by obstructing the execution of decisions of the Security Council in regard to the Congo, including Katanga Province, and their violation of Article 100 of the Charter in seeking to influence members of the Secretariat in the discharge of their responsibilities.
I should like to make a brief submission in support of my claim that this is within the Standing Order. First, it
may be argued that this is not a definite matter, because there are two matters contained in the Motion. I suggest, however, that the second matter is subordinate to the first, namely, that the charge of seeking to influence members of the United Nation's Secretariat is subordinate to the main question—the main charge—of obstructing the carrying out of the Security Council's decisions.
Secondly, I am not putting this forward on the basis of any statement made by a person for whom Her Majesty's Government are not responsible. It is perfectly true that charges have been made against the Government by Dr. O'Brien, but these charges have also been made in this House. I am repeating them in this Motion, and I take full responsibility before the House for making these charges.
Thirdly, I think that the statement of Dr. O'Brien is relevant, because it has brought the matter to a head, and has made it imperative that the Government, without any delay whatsoever, should make a statement in answer to these charges. I am astonished that the Government should have so low a view of their prestige and honour—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—that they have not made a statement.
The Guardian—and I think that this is within the submission—in a leading article today, concludes with the words:
The Government ought to consider this"—
that is, Dr. O'Brien's statement—
as an urgent priority.
Finally, I believe that it has been ruled that the question of public importance is a matter for the House as a whole, but I would add that I cannot think that any matter is of greater public importance than the loyalty of this country to the United Nations.
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
The hon. Gentleman asks for leave to move the Amendment of the House under Standing Order No. 9 for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely,
the violation by Her Majesty's Government of Articles 25 and 49 of the United Nations Charter by obstructing the execution of decisions of the Security Council in regard to the Congo, including Katanga Province, and their violation of Article 100 of the Charter by seeking to influence members of the Secretariat in the discharge of their responsibilities.
I cannot accept the application, for I cannot conceive the Motion to be within the Standing Order.
Mr William Warbey
, Ashfield
Will you be kind enough to indicate the position, Mr. Speaker? I accept your Ruling, but it is suggested that this matter may be the subject of a Government statement later this week. In fact, I think that Questions have been tabled for answer on Wednesday. If the matter is further referred to in the House during the course of this week, may I ask for an assurance that the fact that you have not accepted my Motion does not prejudice the possibility of my bringing it forward again later?
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
All my Ruling relates to is the application at present made by the hon. Member, which I do not conceive to be within the Standing Order.
Mr. H. Wilson:
You are aware, Mr. Speaker, that my right hon. and hon. Friends and I this morning sought to table Private Notice Questions on various aspects of the Katanga situation. Your Ruling, which, naturally, we all accept, was that in one sense they were not in order and that they were also anticipatory.
In view of the general interest in this subject, may we take it that your Ruling on my hon. Friend's attempt to move the Adjournment of the House will not prejudice our coming before you again in an attempt to raise this matter? We hope that that will not be necessary if the Leader of the House listens to the appeal made by my right hon. Friend this afternoon.
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
The right hon. Gentleman understands to what my Ruling relates. It does not relate to anything else.
An adjournment is a break in the course of parliamentary business.
The House adjourns at the end of each day's business.
On a daily basis the House adjourns, or breaks, half an hour after the moving of the adjournment debate.
The House is also adjourned for several holiday periods during the session.
The more lengthy adjournments - often coinciding with the academic calendar - are known as recesses.
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.
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.
