HC Deb 06 March 1957 vol 566 cc356-460

Considered in Committee [Progress, 26th February].

[Sir CHARLES MACANDREW in the Chair]

3.38 p.m.

The Chairman

The proposed new Clause, "Members of the House of Lords"— A Member of the House of Lords shall be free to stand for election to the House of Commons. If elected he shall cease to be summoned to attend the House of Lords so long as he is a Member of the House of Commons. —in the name of the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Parker), is outside the scope of the Bill, and is, therefore, out of order.

Mr. John Parker (Dagenham)

Surely, Sir Charles, if a Member of the House of Lords were allowed to sit in the House of Commons, that would be the removal of his disqualification?

The Chairman

I do not consider the proposed Clause to be in order.

Mr. Parker

Might I draw to your attention, Sir Charles, the fact that if the Clause were carried it would remove a disqualification which at present prohibits a Member of the House of Lords from sitting in this House.

The Chairman

The proposed Clause is outside the scope of the Bill and cannot be moved.

Mr. George Wigg (Dudley)

As a Member of another place is not debarred by legislative action from sitting in this House, it must surely be in order, Sir Charles, on a Bill concerned with disqualification for hon. Members, to move a Clause to make it absolutely clear that, irrespective of any action that may be taken by another place, this House has control over its own membership. Therefore, I submit for your further consideration that the Clause ought to be considered by the Committee.

The Chairman

No. It cannot be. In my view, it is outside the scope of the Bill.

    cc357-95
  1. New Clause.—(BARRISTERS FOR CROWN, &c.) 15,350 words, 1 division
    2. cc395-457
  2. First Schedule.—(OFFICES DISQUALIFYING FOR MEMBERSHIP.) 23,043 words, 1 division
    3. c457
  3. Second Schedule.—(MINISTERIAL OFFICES.) 26 words
    4. cc457-60
  4. Third Schedule.—(MODIFICATIONS OF THIS ACT IN RELATION TO SENATE AND HOUSE OF COMMONS OF NORTHERN IRELAND.) 667 words
    5. c460
  5. Fourth Schedule.—(ENACTMENTS REPEALED.) 130 words