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Orders of the Day — Royal Assent

– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 June 1964.

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6.2 p.m.

Whereupon The GENTLEMAN-USHER OF THE BLACK ROD being come with a Message, The CHAIRMAN left the Chair.

Mr. SPEAKER resumed the Chair.

Message to attend the Lords Commissioners;

The House went:—and, having returned;

Mr. SPEAKER reported the Royal Assent to:

  1. 1. Elections (Welsh Forms) Act, 1964.
  2. 2. National Health Service (Hospital Boards) Act, 1964.
  3. 3. Burgh Police (Amendment) (Scotland) Act, 1964.
  4. 4. Criminal Procedure (Right of Reply) Act, 1964.
  5. 5. Pharmacy and Poisons (Amendment) Act, 1964.
  6. 6. Dangerous Drugs Act, 1964.
  7. 7. Income Tax Management Act, 1964.
  8. 8. Emergency Powers Act, 1964.
  9. 9. Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act, 1964.
  10. 10. Harbours Act, 1964.
  11. 11. Succession (Scotland) Act, 1964.
  12. 12. Administration of Justice Act, 1964.
  13. 13. Criminal Appeal Act, 1964.
  14. 14. Nurses Act, 1964.
  15. 15. Road Traffic Act, 1964.
  16. 16. Malawi Independence Act, 1964.
  17. 17. Merchant Shipping Act, 1964.
  18. 18. Police Act, 1964.
  19. 19. Macduff Harbour Order Confirmation Act, 1964.
  20. 20. Chichester Rural District Council Act, 1964.
  21. 21. Life Association of Scotland Limited Act, 1964.
  22. 22. Chapel Street Congregation Church (Southport) Burial Ground Act, 1964.
  23. 23. Harwich Harbour Act, 1964.
  24. 24. Cheshire Brine Pumping (Compensation for Subsidence) Act, 1964.
  25. 25. Newcastle-under-Lyme Corporation Act, 1964.
  26. 26. Stafford Corporation Act, 1964.
  27. 27. Saint John's Church, Smith Square Act, 1964.
  28. 28. Barry Corporation Act, 1964.
  29. 29. Elim Church Moor Lane Bolton Burial Ground Act, 1964.
  30. 30. British Railways Act, 1964.
  31. 31. Tees Conservancy Act, 1964.
  32. 32. Preston Corporation Act, 1964.

And to the following Measure passed tinder the provision of the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act, 1919:

Clergy (Ordination and Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure, 1964.

SPEAKER

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.

Amendment

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.