Order to Attend House.

MR. Horatio Bottomley. – in the House of Commons am ar 25 Gorffennaf 1922.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN (Leader of the House):

I beg to move, "That Mr. Horatio Bottomley do attend this House in his place upon Tuesday next."

In making this Motion, I feel that the House will not require any long statement from me. I am acting in accordance with what I believe to be the settled tradition and procedure of the House in matters of this kind wish to say only that, if this Motion be carried, I shall at once move a further Motion that the necessary warrant be issued to secure the attendance of the hon. Member for South Hackney, should he desire to attend. The House always makes the Motion for attendance, but that is in the interest of the Member concerned, lest we should do any injustice to him. The-House does not order the authorities in whose custody he may be to bring hire to this House, unless he wish to attend the House.

Photo of Sir Francis Lowe Sir Francis Lowe , Birmingham, Edgbaston

If the hon. Member for South Hackney were adjudicated a bankrupt, would not that, ipso facto, vacate his seat? Were that procedure adopted, would it not be very much better than asking the hon. Member to attend here, and moving a Motion for his expulsion?

Mr. J. JONES:

If it be in order, I would like to ask whether those who used the hon. Member for South Hackney as a political tool will also be summoned to explain their conduct in this House?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

If the hon. Member for South Hackney be made a bankrupt, that does automatically vacate his seat, after six months: but I imagine that the House, in accordance with precedent, would desire to take the case into early consideration, and might think it neither proper for the House to wait for six months, nor fair to the Constituency which the hon. Member represents, were he prevented from attending.

Question put, and agreed to.

Ordered, That the Governor of His Majesty's Prison at Wormwood Scrubs do bring the said Horatio Bottomley in custody to this House upon Tuesday next, if the said Horatio Bottomley shall desire to be so brought up, and that Mr. Speaker do issue his warrants to the said Governor and to the Sergeant-at-Arms attending this House, accordingly."—[Mr. Chamberlain]

in his place

Of a male MP, sitting on his regular seat in the House. For females, "in her place".

constituency

In a general election, each Constituency chooses an MP to represent them. MPs have a responsibility to represnt the views of the Constituency in the House of Commons. There are 650 Constituencies, and thus 650 MPs. A citizen of a Constituency is known as a Constituent

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.