– in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 17 Chwefror 1954.
Mr John Boyd-Carpenter
, Kingston upon Thames
I beg to move,
That, in the case of a Bill (whether Public or Private) containing any provision which would or might operate to increase Exchequer Equalisation Grants in England or Wales, the Standing Orders and practice of this House relating to provisions authorising charges upon the public revenue shall not be deemed to apply to that provision by reason only of the consequential increase in Exchequer Equalisation Grants in Scotland under the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act, 1954. [Queen's Recommendation signified.]
The need for this Motion arises from the fact that the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act, 1954, has become law during the last few days. The effect of that is that equalisation grants payable to Scottish local authorities are no longer fixed on the principles of the Local Government Act, 1948, but on the basis of the Goschen formula, that is to say, eleven-eightieths of similar expenditure in England and Wales. The consequence is that a proposal which can affect the total equalisation grants in England and Wales has the effect of increasing those grants in Scotland.
As the consequence of that, Money Resolutions, and indeed Bills, now before this House do not technically comply with the Standing Orders, inasmuch as authority is not provided for the consequential expenditure in Scotland. The Motion has the effect of correcting this position. It is drafted to cover Resolutions during the whole of this Session, as the comparable one which followed the passing of the Local Government Act, 1948, also did. The intention is that new Money Resolutions shall be drafted to comply with the new situation arising from the passing of the Scottish Act, and expenses Clauses of Bills before the House which are at a stage where this can be done will be amended consequently.
The motion is none the less drafted in this general form to cover Bills which are at too late a stage for those steps to be taken, and also to cover late-presented Private Bills. It covers the whole of the Session and it appears probable that in due course it will be necessary to make some minor alterations to Standing Orders.
Mr Emrys Hughes
, South Ayrshire
Is this Motion to be discussed by the Scottish Standing Committee?
Mr John Boyd-Carpenter
, Kingston upon Thames
If I may, by leave of the House, reply to that question, this Motion is a proposal governing the procedure of the House, and, therefore, it has to be discussed in this House.
A proposal for new legislation that is debated by Parliament.
In a normal session there are up to ten standing committees on bills. Each has a chair and from 16 to 50 members. Standing committee members on bills are appointed afresh for each new bill by the Committee of Selection which is required to take account of the composition of the House of Commons (ie. party proportions) as well as the qualification of members to be nominated. The committees are chaired by a member of the Chairmen's Panel (whose members are appointed by the Speaker). In standing committees the Chairman has much the same function as the Speaker in the House of Commons. Like the Speaker, a chairman votes only in the event of a tie, and then usually in accordance with precedent. The committees consider each bill clause by clause and may make amendments. There are no standing committees in the House of Lords.
