HC Deb 24 March 1955 vol 538 cc2266-8
45. Mr. Stokes

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a statement on Government policy with regard to the unanimous recommendation of the Select Committee on the Accommodation, etc., of the Palace of Westminster, that a House of Commons Commission should be set up to take over the powers at present exercised by the Commission for regulating the offices of the House of Commons and other matters concerning the amenities of the House.

The Prime Minister (Sir Winston Churchill)

Her Majesty's Government are considering this recomendation of the Select Committee. On the assumption that the existing House of Commons Commissioners are retained, it would, I am advised, be for the general advantage that they should present to the House each year a report on their work. Her Majesty's Government also favour the compilation of a code to govern the conditions of service of the staff of the House.

Mr. Stokes

May I ask the Prime Minister to be a little more explicit than that? I understood him to say that what the Government contemplate is the continuation of the present House of Commons Commission. That is not really what the Select Committee recommended. The Committee recommended that a different Commission should be set up, which would involve a certain amount of legislation but which would give hon. and right hon. Members better control over the amenities of the Palace of Westminster. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it does not seem that what he says and what is now proposed meet the case?

The Prime Minister

We are not enthusiastic supporters of the recommendation of the Select Committee, and we think that further consideration should be given to the matter. From inquiries which have been made in various directions, we have not found much active support for the recommendation.

Mr. Panned

Would the Prime Minister bear in mind that the Select Committee's Report was completely unanimous? Would he also bear in mind that the present Commissioners of the House are the Secretaries of State whose offices were extant about the year 1812? Is he aware that whilst it was possible during the 19th century for a busy Secretary of State to attend to the affairs of the House, in reality at the present time the Commissioners act only through Mr. Speaker and the Chancellor of the Exchequer? Therefore, will the right hon. Gentleman not bring the Commissioners of the House within ideas of modern usage and make them an efficient, democratic body?

The Prime Minister

What the hon. Gentleman has said shows, I think, the need for careful consideration of this matter.

Mr. Stokes

But we have been waiting a long time for the Government statement on this matter. May I ask the Prime Minister whether he recollects that the set-up of this Committee was predominantly Tory in fact, and whether he remembers, as my hon. Friend has said, that the report was unanimous? Has he really studied the minutes, and whatever may have been the advice given to him, does he realise that both Mr. Speaker and the Serjeant at Arms supported the contentions of the Members of the Committee?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. The fact that, as the right hon. Gentleman mentions, the Committee was predominantly Tory must not lead him to suppose that, in judging a matter affecting the House of Commons as a whole, we should not take a complete, comprehensive and impartial view.

Mr. Stokes

But the Prime Minister is doing himself less than justice. I did not bring that up as a party shot. I was really pointing out that had the Committee not been so completely unanimous anything rather revolutionary could easily have been outvoted. As a matter of fact, the Committee was unanimous, and will the Prime Minister say how much longer Her Majesty's Government will need to consider this, and may we have an assurance that we shall have a decision before the right hon. Gentleman himself retires from the Premiership?

The Prime Minister

I should not like to speculate on the competition of these unknown events.