Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland. – in the House of Commons am ar 28 Gorffennaf 1925.
Mr Campbell Stephen
, Glasgow Camlachie
asked the Secretary for Scotland the name of the proprietor of the reservoir at Upper Skelmorlie, Ayrshire, which burst on 18th April and resulted in the drowning of five people; and the amount of the rate levied upon the tenants in the district for the maintenance and supervision of the reservoir and the total amount of the money paid for this purpose?
Mr John Gilmour
, Glasgow Pollok
I am informed that the reservoir belongs to the Earl of Eglinton. I have no information on the points referred to in the second part of the question. As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member's question of 23rd June, the water supply is a purely private one.
Mr Campbell Stephen
, Glasgow Camlachie
asked the Lord Advocate if he can now inform the House what steps he intends to take with regard to a prosecution in view of the jury's finding in connection with the bursting of a hillside reservoir at Skelmorlie, Ayrshire, on 18th April, in which they returned a unanimous verdict that five victims were drowned by water which escaped from the lower reservoir at Upper Skelmorlie, and that the accident was materially contributed to by the absence of any regular skilled supervision and inspection of the reservoir?
Mr David Fleming
, Dunbartonshire
After full consideration of the evidence and findings of the jury at the public inquiry, which was held by the direction of the Lord Advocate, he is of opinion that there are no grounds for criminal proceedings.
Mr Campbell Stephen
, Glasgow Camlachie
Does the Solicitor General not notice that in the finding of the jury this accident is stated by them to have been materially contributed to by the gross carelessness of these people? Is he not going to take action because it is an Earl who is responsible in this case?
Mr David Fleming
, Dunbartonshire
I would point out that the jury did not find that there was gross carelessness on the part of anyone. They might have found that the accident resulted from negligence on the part of an individual person, but they did not do so. What they found was that the accident had been materially contributed to by the absence of any regular skilled supervision.
Mr Campbell Stephen
, Glasgow Camlachie
Is that not carelessness? We understand the language!
Mr George Hardie
, Glasgow Springburn
What is it in the officers of the present Government that makes them keep from the subject of the question before them? This carelessness has killed many people. Are the Government going to remain inactive? [Interruption.] This is a question, Mr. Speaker, of human life, and there are other dams in Scotland.
Mr James Maxton
, Glasgow Bridgeton
May I, Mr. Speaker—
Mr. Speaker:
Is this a new question?
Mr James Maxton
, Glasgow Bridgeton
No, but it arises out of the question. It seems not to be understood by this House that we in Scotland have no right to take private proceedings if the Lord Advocate refuses. There is no recourse to the courts for the relations of these people. It is a serious matter, and we want an answer to the question that has been put as to whether the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to institute proceedings in this matter? Is it because it is a Noble Lord with similar political views? [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."]
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.
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.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
