Oral Answers to Questions — Resettlement (Training Allowances) – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 14 Mehefin 1945.
Mr Tom Driberg
, Maldon
12:00,
14 Mehefin 1945
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take all possible steps, by legislation or regulation, to enable hospital patients and other sick persons to record their votes at the coming General Election.
Mr Donald Somervell
, Crewe
The Speaker's Conference recommended that persons physically incapacitated shall be allowed to vote by post at a Parliamentary election. It is impossible in the time available to pass the legislation which would be necessary for this and other recommendations of the Speaker's Conference.
Mr Tom Driberg
, Maldon
Would it be possible in the large hospitals and sanatoria, where patients remain for a very long time, to have polling booths at the hospitals themselves so that at least walking patients could vote?
Mr Donald Somervell
, Crewe
I am afraid that would be impossible. We cannot make alterations at this stage.
Sir Percy Harris
, Bethnal Green South West
Would it be possible to arrange for transport facilities to take people to the polling booths from hospitals?
Mr Donald Somervell
, Crewe
Of course, transport facilities can be arranged under the existing procedure, but I do not think the State could do that.
Mr Herbert Williams
, Croydon South
Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman give an explanation why the late Government were so dilatory in bringing before Parliament the quite elementary Bill which would have been necessary to deal with matters recommended by the Speaker's Conference?
Mr Donald Somervell
, Crewe
No, I do not think I could give an explanation.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
In a general election, each constituency chooses an MP to represent it by process of election. The party who wins the most seats in parliament is in power, with its leader becoming Prime Minister and its Ministers/Shadow Ministers making up the new Cabinet. If no party has a majority, this is known as a hung Parliament. The next general election will take place on or before 3rd June 2010.
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.
