– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 June 1964.
Mr David Renton
, Huntingdonshire
12:00,
10 June 1964
Mr. Speaker, the House resolved before Whitsun that a delegation should visit Uganda to present a Mace to the National Assembly. The delegation consisted of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire (Mr. Woodburn), my hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin (Mr. Maddan), and the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. O'Malley) and myself. We were accompanied by Mr. Mackenzie, the Principal Clerk of Public Bills.
I have to report to the House that we discharged that most agreeable duty on 26th May, when your delegation was invited within the Bar of the National Assembly at the start of that day's business.
After the Speaker had warmly welcomed us, speeches were made by me and by the right hon. Member for East Stirlingshire, which were greeted with friendly exuberance. I then presented the Mace on behalf of this House and it was placed on the Table of the National Assembly. On the Motion of the Prime Minister of Uganda, seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, it was then unanimously resolved
that this House accepts with thanks the generous gift of a Mace from the United Kingdom House of Commons to mark Uganda's attainment of Independence in October, 1962, to serve as a visible symbol of the ties between this Legislature and the British Parliament at Westminster and to be a constant reminder of the high ideals of Parliamentary Government and the democratic principles for which this Assembly stands.
I trust, Mr. Speaker, that in accordance with precedent you will require this Resolution to be recorded in the Journal.
Your delegation received a most friendly welcome from the President, Parliamentarians and people of Uganda, and their Government gave us most generous and delightful hospitality during our five days in that lovely country, which included a visit to Murchison National Park, past which flow the Victoria Nile and the Albert Nile, where we saw a wonderful array of wild life in its natural splendour.
I am sure that the House will join members of the delegation in wishing happiness and prosperity to the people of Uganda. May their Mace and ours remain in use for ever as symbols of Parliamentary democracy.
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
I will cause the Resolution to be recorded in the manner suggested by the right hon. and learned Gentleman.
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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.
