– in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 19 Rhagfyr 1961.
Sir Toby Low
, Blackpool North
12:00,
19 Rhagfyr 1961
I apologise to the House for taking up one or two minutes of its time.
In yesterday's debate the hon. Member for Cardiff, South East (Mr. Callaghan) referred to what he called a "roll of dishonour"—[HON. MEMBERS: "Roll of honour."]—in Reynolds News of 17th December which included my name. I did not know that the hon. Gentleman was going to do this. Since the implication of what he said was that in my private capacity I had not followed the Chancellor's request for a dividend pause, whereas I had supported it here, I desire to make this personal statement.
No company of which I am a director has acted contrary to the Chancellor's request about dividends. The dividend declared in August by the company referred to in the article in Reynolds News and to which the hon. Gentleman made reference, was at the rate publicly indicated by the chairman of the company in March. 1961, five months before—
Lieut-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore
, Ayr
Hear, hear.
Mr Archibald Manuel
, Central Ayrshire
That is the whole point.
Sir Toby Low
, Blackpool North
—in a statement which amounted to a public commitment—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—and on the basis of which many shares had changed hands. This was made clear to the Press in August at the time of the dividend announcement.
The Chancellor, in his statement of 25th July, acceded that regard would have to be had to commitments already entered into. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I am taking steps to draw the attention of Reynolds News to the facts and to ask for a correction and an apology.
Mr Tom Driberg
, Barking
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Since a personal statement is not debatable, should it not also be non-controversial?
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
Nobody makes a statement in a personal explanation unless a script has been previously submitted to the Chair and the Chair does not regard it as containing controversial matter.
Mr Colin Thornton-Kemsley
, North Angus and Mearns
Since my name was mentioned by the hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan)—
Mr Arthur Lewis
, West Ham North
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I ask you to advise the House on what is the procedure for this matter? During yesterday's debate these hon. Members had every opportunity to refute what was said by my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan), but neither of them, to the best of my knowledge and belief, was present. Is it not the case that you usually allow statements—
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
There is no point of order in that as far as I know. I do not know whether the hon. Members were then present or not. The right hon. Member for Blackpool, North (Sir T. Low) said that he did not know what the hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan) was going to do.
Mr George Lawson
, Motherwell
Can you let hon. Members on this side of the House who regard these statements as controversial know what their position is when a so-called non-controversial statement is made, Mr. Speaker?
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
Yes, I think they should put down a Motion criticising the Chair, because they are disagreeing with the Chair's view, for a wrong exercise of its judicial discretion.
Mr Colin Thornton-Kemsley
, North Angus and Mearns
Mr. Speaker, since my name was also mentioned yesterday by the hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East and also in the Reynolds News article, I desire to make a brief personal statement.
It is true that a company of which I am a director has increased its interim dividend for the current year from 4 per cent. to 5 per cent. It has done this because the chairman had announced, at the annual general meeting on 4th July last—that is to say, before the Chancellor's statement was made—that from an examination of the first quarter's accounts he was confident that the company would be able to increase its interim and final dividends.
In my view and that of my co-directors, this announcement—which was widely publicised—made it imperative that the dividend should be increased if the company was not to break faith with its shareholders and particularly with those who have bought shares in it.
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
Order. It would be a great departure from our traditions if we did not allow an hon. Member making a personal explanation to be heard.
Mr Marcus Lipton
, Lambeth Brixton
On a point of order. Some of us are beginning to wonder what this has to do with the House of Commons, Mr. Speaker. If every time somebody's business is mentioned the hon. Member concerned is to give a long account of his business interests, we shall never get any "forrarder".
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
If the hon. Member will look at the relevant passage in HANSARD for yesterday—I think that it is in column 990, but I do not wish to tie myself to the figure—I think that he will see why it necessarily has House of Commons relevance. I hope that we may now get on with this matter.
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
I do hope that we can get on. The first thing I want to know is whether the hon. Member for North Angus and Mearns (Sir C. ThorntonKernsley) has completed his personal statement.
Mr Colin Thornton-Kemsley
, North Angus and Mearns
I have very nearly finished, Sir. I was about to conclude by saying that it seemed essential to implement this statement if the company was not to break faith with its shareholders and with those who have bought shares on the basis of what amounted to a firm commitment.
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
Order. I must request the House to keep a greater degree of silence.
Mr Edward Milne
, Blyth
rose—
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
Order. If I cannot hear what is being said I cannot ensure—and such is my duty—that the script submitted to me is being adhered to. Therefore, I want the assistance of the House in the matter. I now want to know whether the hon. Member for Blyth (Mr. Milne) is rising to a point of order.
Mr Edward Milne
, Blyth
Yes, Mr. Speaker. In view of the fact that personal statements of this description are likely to become more numerous in the months that lie ahead, can we save Parliamentary time by asking the Government to issue a white paper on the matter?
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
I do not think that is a point of order. Mr. Stevens.
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
Order. I must be allowed to hear.
Sir Ronald Bell
, Buckinghamshire South
On a point of order. Has it not been for a very long time the custom of the House that personal statements are listened to without any interruption whatever?
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
Yes, I have already indicated that fact.
Mr Samuel Silverman
, Nelson and Colne
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Has it not been the invariable custom that an hon. Member is allowed to make a personal statement when he wishes to deny or explain a charge that has been made against him? Having listened to the two statements which have been made so far, so far from being a denial they are a repetition and a confirmation of the original charge. How can they become personal statements?
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
We cannot argue these matters now. I have explained that, if the House thinks that I am wrong in this matter, the responsibility is mine: but we cannot debate it now.
Mr Jeremy Thorpe
, North Devon
Further to the point of order raised by the hon. Member for Blyth (Mr. Milne). As we are likely to have a plethora—
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
There was no point of order.
Mr Jeremy Thorpe
, North Devon
On a point of order. Would it not be possible, Mr. Speaker, to set aside a time for public confessions of this sort?
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
That is not a point of order.
Mr Geoffrey Stevens
, Portsmouth Langstone
Mr. Speaker, I, too, seek to make a personal statement. My name, also, was included in the "roll of dishonour" read out by the hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan) as having connived at increased dividends. No company of which I am a director has declared any kind of increased dividend whatsoever in the last twelve months.
Mr James Callaghan
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Member, Labour Party National Executive Committee
On a point of order. May I be permitted, Mr. Speaker, to withdraw any charge that I have made improperly against the hon. Member for Portsmouth, Langstone (Mr. Stevens)? I was relying on what I hoped was accurate information. I should most certainly not wish anything to be imputed against his company which is incorrect. As we have so far only heard from three hon. Gentlemen, may I ask if you are to be requested to give permission to the remaining eight to make personal statements?
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
The Chair has no control over personal statements, except to see if, when they are submitted to the Chair, they are, in the Chair's view, proper to be allowed. I have not the slightest idea whether anybody else wants to make one.
Mr Hugh Gaitskell
, Leeds South
Further to that point of order. In view of the possibility that tomorrow we may have another series of personal statements, with further interference with the debate on foreign affairs, could the Leader of the House arrange for any of his hon. Friends—
Mr Robert Grimston
, Westbury
On a point of order. May we be informed whether any warning was given of this, because the time-honoured custom of the House is that if hon. Members are to be attacked in debate they are warned beforehand so that they may be present?
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
No point of order arises, nor is it our practice to debate statements in personal explanation.
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.
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 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.
A document issued by the Government laying out its policy, or proposed policy, on a topic of current concern.Although a white paper may occasion consultation as to the details of new legislation, it does signify a clear intention on the part of a government to pass new law. This is a contrast with green papers, which are issued less frequently, are more open-ended and may merely propose a strategy to be implemented in the details of other legislation.
More from wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_paper
