§ 25. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reconsider his decision not to advise Her Majesty to consent to place her interest in so far as it is affected by the Titles (Abolition) Bill at the disposal of Parliament for the purpose of the Bill.
§ Mr. BrookeI wrote to the hon. Member that it appeared most unlikely that an opportunity would arise for this Bill to be debated on Second Reading, and that I did not have in mind to make a recommendation to Her Majesty. That remains the position.
§ Mr. HughesDoes not the Home Secretary realise that, when the House unanimously gives leave to introduce a Bill, it is his constitutional duty to get the Queen's consent, according to precedent? Why is he going on strike in this matter?
§ Mr. BrookeIt is not my constitutional duty. If the hon. Member wishes to have his Bill debated, I wonder why he has put it down for a date in the middle of the Whitsun Recess.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Home Secretary aware that the Leader of the House has not yet announced the date of the Whitsun Recess? Is he further aware that I postponed my Bill out of chivalry because of certain events in connection with Her Majesty, and this is the reward I get?
§ Mr. S. SilvermanDoes not the right hon. Gentleman's decision not to recommend Her Majesty to consent depend upon his judgment about the likelihood of time being found to debate the Bill in the House of Commons? Was it because he thought that this would arise in the Whitsuntide Recess that he decided not to make the recommendation, or has he some other reason? If he has some other reason, would he indicate it to the House, because it seems to many of us that the purpose of Parliament would be frustrated and defeated if, when it gives unanimous leave for a Bill to be introduced, the Home Secretary can frustrate that purpose by not getting the necessary recommendation?
§ Mr. BrookeThe question of whether I should make a recommendation or not is one on which I must act in my own discretion. As I said, at present I see no likelihood of time being found for this Bill.
§ Mr. HughesIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment before the Whitsun Recess.