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China (Parliamentary Delegation)

– in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 5 Awst 1947.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Douglas Clifton Brown Mr Douglas Clifton Brown , Hexham 12:00, 5 Awst 1947

I have to inform the House—and a similar statement is, I understand, being made in Another place—that it has been widely felt that, as nearly two years have elapsed since the war was concluded, it would be appropriate for a Parliametnary Delegation from the United Kingdom to pay a visit to China, our wartime Ally. The Chinese Government share these feelings and have intimated that they would warmly welcome such a delegation to visit China in October. His Majesty's Government for their part, cordially endorse the proposal. The Lord Chancellor and I were accordingly asked to select six Members for this purpose, two from the House of Lords and four from the House of Commons. The following have accepted the proposals to be members of the delegation:

  • The Lord Ammon.
  • The Lord Amulree.
  • The hon. Member for East Bradford (Mr. McLeavy).
  • The hon. Member for East Nottingham (Mr. Harrison).
  • The hon. Member for North Cumberland (Mr. W. Roberts).
  • The hon. Member for Solihull (Mr. M. Lindsay).
The House will recall that a previous delegation from Parliament visited China during the autumn of 1942, in the darkest days of the war, and it will, I am sure, welcome this further visit as evidence of the continued interest shown by the Parliament and people of this country in China and will wish the members of the delegation every success in the discharge of this their mission of goodwill.

House of Commons

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.

House of Lords

The house of Lords is the upper chamber of the Houses of Parliament. It is filled with Lords (I.E. Lords, Dukes, Baron/esses, Earls, Marquis/esses, Viscounts, Count/esses, etc.) The Lords consider proposals from the EU or from the commons. They can then reject a bill, accept it, or make amendments. If a bill is rejected, the commons can send it back to the lords for re-discussion. The Lords cannot stop a bill for longer than one parliamentary session. If a bill is accepted, it is forwarded to the Queen, who will then sign it and make it law. If a bill is amended, the amended bill is sent back to the House of Commons for discussion.

The Lords are not elected; they are appointed. Lords can take a "whip", that is to say, they can choose a party to represent. Currently, most Peers are Conservative.

another place

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.

Lord Chancellor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Chancellor