HC Deb 08 March 1956 vol 549 cc2313-5
Mr. R. A. Butler

I have to inform the House that following the receipt of representations from the Government of Northern Ireland concerning the disqualification of four Members of the Northern Ireland House of Commons, including the former Speaker, and two Senators, Her Majesty's Government have decided to introduce legislation as soon as possible to indemnify all those concerned against common informer penalties. I regret to say that one of the Senators concerned, Senator Fleming, died on 29th February, and I should like to express the sympathy of Her Majesty's Government and of the House with his relatives. The proposed Bill will validate the elections of the other five disqualified Members.

Legislation at Westminster is necessary because the Parliament of Northern Ireland has no power to legislate on the subject of the qualifications and disqualifications of its Members.

The facts are being laid before Parliament in the form of a White Paper, copies of which are now available to hon. Members in the Vote Office. The White Paper incorporates the Reports of Select Committees of the Northern Ireland House of Commons and Senate, and also the texts of Resolutions passed by the two Houses declaring the disqualified Members to have been incapable of being returned and proposing that representations should be made to Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. H. Morrison

Is not this spate of disqualifications somewhat disturbing, following, as it does, others in respect of the Members of the Parliament of Northern Ireland? Could the right hon. Gentleman not somehow convey some advice to the Government and Parliament of Northern Ireland whereby this can be diminished, because it is not good for the parliamentary institutions of either country. I admit that there has been a steady flow of disqualifications in Her Majesty's United Kingdom House of Commons, too, but for a small Parliament this is a rather disturbing feature.

Mr. Butler

I think this is fully realised by the Government of Northern Ireland, who regret the situation as much as we do, but perhaps have not quite as much trouble in putting it right. The position is covered by the House of Commons Disqualification Bill, which the House has decided, in its wisdom, to send to a Select Committee. We therefore hope that in due course this matter may be tidied up in a sense which I hope will be agreeable to the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. E. Fletcher

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider whether it might not be more expeditious to give the Parliament of Northern Ireland power itself to deal with these matters?

Hon. Members

No.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Are not the Government of Southern Ireland prepared to help in tidying up the matter?

Mr. Lee

Would it not be for the convenience of the House if we could have a list of the minority over there whose elections are valid?

Mr. Marquand

If the right hon. Gentleman can find time for this legislation, could he not also find time for the Bill to implement improvements in widows' pensions recently announced, on which I promised him that the Opposition would give him an easy passage?

Mr. Butler

I must, of course, in answer to the right hon. Gentleman in respect of that very important matter to which he draws attention, say that it is an obligatory duty which we have to perform. In regard to the other matter, we shall certainly take the earliest opportunity.

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