Former MP for North Antrim
I think that, on the whole, this Budget has been well received throughout the country.
In a debate of this kind, which ranges over the whole field of the Budget, it is obvious that any individual speaker can deal with only one or two special points. My object this afternoon is to deal with the question of the Excess Profits Levy and to point out how grossly unfair and harmful it is going to be in certain cases. The object of the Levy was stated to be to lop off excess profits...
stood up, and addressing himself to the Clerk of the House (who, standing up, pointed to him and then sat down) said: Sir Frederic Metcalfe, in accordance with the Gracious Message which we have received from the Throne, I beg to move, That the right hon. William Shepherd Morrison do take the Chair of this House as Speaker. This is the fourth occasion on which I have been present at the...
May I ask whether the procedure which is being followed today means any change from the time-honoured Parliamentary practice under which it is for the Chair, and the Chair alone, to decide whether or not there is a prima facie case and that that is a condition precedent to any Motion to refer a matter to the Committee of Privileges?
I asked you, Sir, whether the procedure which has taken place today implied any change in the time-honoured practice of this House under which it is for the Chair and the Chair alone to decide whether or not there is a prima facie case of Privilege, and that that decision by the Chair is a condition precedent to any Motion to refer the matter to the Committee of Privileges.
I have certainly no complaint at all to make with regard to the tone and temper of the speech of the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. G. Thomas). I hope very much that the high level on which he started the debate will be maintained. Before I deal with the actual terms of the Motion, I should like to draw the attention of the House for a moment to the constitutional implications to which...
Now I should like to deal with the question of the Special Powers Act in Northern Ireland. I am very sorry to have to go back upon past history, but in dealing with this question I must do so. I do not want to rake up the past. Those who are responsible for this Motion are responsible for any raking up of the past that must be done if we are to answer these charges. The Special Powers Act...
Yes, it was just before. I have the honour to be chairman of the Ulster Unionist Group of Members of this House, and naturally I am in close touch with the policy and views of the Northern Ireland Government. All I can say about it is that if the hon. Member made those speeches they were most regrettable and did not in the least represent the policy of the Government of Northern Ireland or of...
