Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am ar 19 Gorffennaf 1939.
Sir William Anstruther-Gray
, Lanarkshire Northern
I want to ask the Chancellor whether he would reconsider Sub-section (2) of this Clause, relating to property. The trustees may accept any property given, devised, or bequeathed to the Fund by any person, but they shall, as soon as may be, realize any such property. I suggest that the Committee might further consider whether it would really be for the benefit of the Members for whom we are trying to provide if they should fall upon evil times. It seems to me that somebody might bequeath an estate like Chequers with a sum of money for the upkeep, without charge to the Exchequer and without charge to the Fund, in order that the estate might be run for the benefit of the old Members of this House who become ill, perhaps, or penniless, and are still wanting to keep up their corporate spirit. I think it would be of great benefit, particularly to hon. Members opposite, who might like to keep in touch with their friends of old political days. A number of Members on this side of the House with many years service may look forward to promotion to Another place. But hon. Members opposite for the most part do not wish to do that. They might have few friends and relations at home, and it might be a very real benefit to them to be able to look upon such a place as Chequers as a home where they could go and live. I seriously invite my right hon. Friend to give this his consideration, and I assure the Committee that it is no frivolous suggestion.
The House of Commons is one of the houses of parliament. Here, elected MPs (elected by the "commons", i.e. the people) debate. In modern times, nearly all power resides in this house. In the commons are 650 MPs, as well as a speaker and three deputy speakers.
During a debate members of the House of Commons traditionally refer to the House of Lords as 'another place' or 'the other place'.
Peers return the gesture when they speak of the Commons in the same way.
This arcane form of address is something the Labour Government has been reviewing as part of its programme to modernise the Houses of Parliament.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
The Chancellor - also known as "Chancellor of the Exchequer" is responsible as a Minister for the treasury, and for the country's economy. For Example, the Chancellor set taxes and tax rates. The Chancellor is the only MP allowed to drink Alcohol in the House of Commons; s/he is permitted an alcoholic drink while delivering the budget.
