HC Deb 06 November 1950 vol 480 cc592-4

Later—

Mr. Carson

(by Private Notice) asked the Lord President of the Council whether any arrangements have yet been made to secure that our Parliamentary institutions play their rightful part in the forthcoming Festival of Britain celebrations.

Mr. H. Morrison

Yes, Sir, I am glad to be able to announce that you, Sir, have appointed a Committee of Members of all parties and of both Houses to examine this matter and to make suitable arrangements. The following is the list of its members: The right hon. Gentleman the Member for Horsham (Earl Winterton), Chairman; Lord Douglas of Barloch, K.C.M.G.; Earl Fortescue, C.B., O.B E., M.C.; Lord Rea, O.B.E.; the hon. Lady the Member for Anglesey (Lady Megan Lloyd George); my right hon. Friend the Member for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire (Mr. Woodburn); my right hon. Friend the Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Glenvil Hall); the hon. Gentleman the Member for Renfrew, West (Mr. Maclay); my hon. Friend the Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Lang); the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Saffron Walden (Mr. R. A. Butler).

The whole House will be gratified to know that the noble Lord has accepted the chairmanship. The Committee will meet for the first time tomorrow.

Mr. S. Silverman

On a point of order. For the assistance of Members on future occasions, could it be explained, Sir, in what way this particular Question qualified as a Private Notice Question?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member asks me how this Question qualified as a Private Notice Question. It must be perfectly obvious. The hon. Member knows that announcements are made to the House and that one arranges for a Private Notice Question of this kind. It is done with my permission in order that the House may be informed. I do not like it if the hon. Member queries my authority to allow Private Notice Questions.

Mr. Silverman

With very great respect, and without seeking in any way to question your authority, Sir—I do not think there was anything in my question which did query it—nevertheless, it will be appreciated that this is a matter of interest to the House. Many of us have been told from time to time that there must be some element of urgency in the matter to justify a Private Notice Question. Ministers always have the right to make a statement at the end of Questions, with your permission, and without any Question being asked. If the Rules are to he changed at all in connection with Private Notice Questions, then all hon. Members ought to have the benefit of them.

Mr. Speaker

I cannot accept that argument in the least. After all, this is a matter which is of great interest to Members of Parliament of both Houses and in order to give it prominence surely the proper way is to put a Private Notice Question, so that all hon. Members can hear. That is quite a different matter from other Private Notice Questions.

Professor Savory

May I ask who represents Northern Ireland on this Committee?

Mr. Morrison

I am quite sure that Mr. Speaker did his best. The list which I have read is the list which has been selected. Northern Ireland has a committee of its own in connection with the Festival organisation.

Mr. John Hynd

For the interest of hon. Members, would the Lord President mind telling us what the Committee is about, because those of us at this end of the Chamber have not yet heard?

Mr. Morrison

My hon. Friend heard the Question put. The Committee is to see what arrangements have yet been made to secure that our Parliamentary institutions play their rightful part in the forthcoming Festival of Britain celebrations.

Mr. Peart

When will the Committee first report to the House; and is my right hon. Friend aware that all hon. Members will welcome the appointment of the Committee?

Mr. Morrison

I have no doubt that, on behalf of the Committee, the noble Lord the Member for Horsham (Earl Winterton) will report to the House the conclusions which the Committee has reached as to the best form the celebrations can take.