HC Deb 07 February 1963 vol 671 cc659-60
Q2. Mr. Mason

asked the Prime Minister what procedure is followed by Departments in submitting names for the Honours List; and if he will move to appoint a joint committee to review the present departmental procedure with the object of widening its scope.

The Prime Minister

Names are sent by Ministers to my office. As the departmental procedure is always under review, I do not consider that a committee of the kind suggested by the hon. Member is called for.

Mr. Mason

Is not the Prime Minister aware that the present system is regarded as farcical? There is far too much mystique about it all. What is known is that far too many people receive honours automatically just for doing their job and nothing else noteworthy, and that far too few people who are doing a lot of public work on a voluntary basis rarely get recognised at all. Will the right hon. Gentleman consider setting up a permanent honours and merits council so that applications can be made, so that they can be investigated, and so that they can be seen to be justified?

Mr. Speaker

Order I think the hon. Member understands the principle. It is all right to ask about the departmental lists, but we cannot go further into the realm he was then suggesting.

Mr. Mason

But as the Prime Minister has said that the present system is always under review, it is not in order for me to put a question suggesting how it can be bettered?

Mr. Speaker

No. I understand that the system to which the Prime Minister was referring was the system referred to in the Question, namely, that limited to departmental recommendations.

Mr. Shinwell

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to clear up a point for me, and perhaps for other hon. Members? Can he define what is meant by "rewards for political services"?

The Prime Minister

I think that the right hon. Gentleman, with his long experience, has full knowledge of that.

Mr. Mason

In view of the absence of information and the unsatisfactory reply that I have received, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.