Oral Answers to Questions — Political Honours Scrutiny Committee

– in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 7 Mai 1964.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Marcus Lipton Mr Marcus Lipton , Lambeth Brixton 12:00, 7 Mai 1964

asked the Prime Minister on what dates the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee has met in 1964.

Photo of Sir Alec Douglas-Home Sir Alec Douglas-Home , Kinross and West Perthshire

The Committee has not met so far this year but will be meeting shortly.

Photo of Mr Marcus Lipton Mr Marcus Lipton , Lambeth Brixton

Will the Prime Minister give an undertaking that he will not ask the Committee to work overtime in connection with the unusually long list of political honours that he will submit for the Birthday Honours List?

Photo of Sir Alec Douglas-Home Sir Alec Douglas-Home , Kinross and West Perthshire

I do not know what information the hon. Gentleman has, but I think he had better wait and see the Honours List first.

Photo of Mr Arthur Bottomley Mr Arthur Bottomley , Middlesbrough East

Is it within the competence of the Committee to rename an honour—for instance, suggesting that the Order of the British Empire should become the Order of the British Commonwealth?

Photo of Sir Alec Douglas-Home Sir Alec Douglas-Home , Kinross and West Perthshire

I should like notice of that question.

Photo of Mr Emrys Hughes Mr Emrys Hughes , South Ayrshire

What procedure is adopted by this Committee? How does it scrutinise the names of these gentlemen? Does it call for a report from Scotland Yard? Can anyone object to them?

Photo of Sir Alec Douglas-Home Sir Alec Douglas-Home , Kinross and West Perthshire

I would not think that to be necessary. All the names that go before the Committee are of well-known persons anti I think that it does its work in a way acceptable to both sides of the House.