Oral Answers to Questions — Overseas Development – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 15 Rhagfyr 1964.
Lieut-Colonel Sir Walter Bromley-Davenport
, Knutsford
12:00,
15 Rhagfyr 1964
asked the Minister of Overseas Development, whether she is aware that medical practitioners and others concerned with the treatment of leprosy are proscribing the use of the word "leper" in view of the fact that the odium associated with this word has done much to prevent the cooperation of communities concerned and hence the eradication of the disease; and whether she will give an assurance that this consideration is borne in mind by the staff of her Department in their dealings with medical aid.
Mr Albert Oram
, East Ham South
I am aware that it has been suggested from time to time that lepers should be known by another name. As ray right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies has already pointed out, changes in the English words are not likely to have much significance among those communities where the disease is commonest. I believe that my Department's efforts should be devoted to helping to stamp out the disease rather than to trying to cloak it under another name.
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
There is no point of order, but the noise is delaying progress and must be less.
Lieut-Colonel Sir Walter Bromley-Davenport
, Knutsford
Is the Minister aware of the great distress that has been caused among the unfortunate sufferers of this disease by the moronic observations of the Prime Minister, and is not this typical of—[Interruption.] the Socialist Party?
Mr Albert Oram
, East Ham South
I have watched the hon. and gallant Gentleman over a period of six weeks attempt to tackle—[HON. MEMBERS: "Answer."]—I am answering. I have watched him attempt to tackle three separate Ministers in order to make the point that he has now made. I had a lingering hope that he had a serious point to make in connection with this pathetic disease, but since he seeks merely to make a party political point, I would say to him that he appears to put too literal an interpretation on the remarks of my right hon. Friend. I have heard the hon. and gallant Member himself described in colourful terms which perhaps ought not to be taken too literally.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
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.
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.
