HC Deb 20 July 1932 vol 156 cc2264-6
31 and 32. Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked the Prime Minister (1) of how many persons the Royal Commission on the recommendation of honours will consist;

(2) when he proposes to consult the various parties in the House in respect of the personnel of the Royal Commission on the recommendation of honours?

37. Mr. LANE-FOX

asked the Prime Minister what steps, if any, have been taken to punish or reprimand the official responsible for the blunder which caused the offer of a peerage to Sir J. B. Robinson?

38. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Prime Minister if he will afford facilities for the Debate on the bestowal of honours to be resumed; whether the composition of the promised Royal Commission has yet been decided upon; and when it will be appointed?

The PRIME MINISTER

Immediate steps are being taken with a view to the appointment of the Royal Commission, but I am not yet in a position to make any definite statement as to its composition. The consultations in regard to the personnel will take place with the least possible delay. In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Barks-ton Ash (Mr. Lane-Fox), the circumstances which led to this offer were fully explained in another place, and I can add nothing further. It is not the intention of the Government to give facilities for the Debate to be resumed.

Mr. LANE-FOX

Why should the responsibility be put solely on the Prime Minister? Would it not be far wiser to throw it on the proper person?

The PRIME MINISTER

I accept the responsibility. It must be mine. I am responsible to the Houses of Parliament whenever any mistake of this kind is made.

Sir D. MACLEAN

Would it not be better, before arriving at a settlement of the personnel of this Commission and other questions, that Members of the House of Lords, as well as Members of the House of Commons, should meet the right hon. Gentleman together? If he could give us something rather more adequate than a notice across the Floor of the House, no doubt a meeting could be arranged at a very early date.

The PRIME MINISTER

I should have done so, but I only arrived here this morning. I am quite prepared to meet them at any time, and I could give any hour to-morrow afternoon, or at any rate I could do it on Monday after Question Time in my room in the House.

Sir D. MACLEAN

We will arrange it.

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

May I take it the right hon. Gentleman has not already selected the Members beforehand?

The PRIME MINISTER

That would have been a breach of faith. I promised I would confer with those more or less in charge of this matter in both Houses before any selection was made. That is exactly what I want to see them upon. I propose to submit certain names to them for discussion.

Mr. ROSE

Is it proposed to put the hon. Member for Wood Green (Mr. G. Locker-Lampson) on the Commission?

The PRIME MINISTER

I think I had bettor say nothing about names.

Mr. HOGGE

Does the statement of the right hon. Gentleman apply equally to the Chairman?

The PRIME MINISTER

I shall put the whole proposal before the meeting.