HC Deb 07 May 1964 vol 694 c1449
Q1. Mr. Lipton

asked the Prime Minister on what dates the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee has met in 1964.

The Prime Minister (Sir Alec Douglas-Home)

The Committee has not met so far this year but will be meeting shortly.

Mr. Lipton

Will the Prime Minister give an undertaking that he will not ask the Committee to work overtime in connection with the unusually long list of political honours that he will submit for the Birthday Honours List?

The Prime Minister

I do not know what information the hon. Gentleman has, but I think he had better wait and see the Honours List first.

Mr. Bottomley

Is it within the competence of the Committee to rename an honour—for instance, suggesting that the Order of the British Empire should become the Order of the British Commonwealth?

The Prime Minister

I should like notice of that question.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

What procedure is adopted by this Committee? How does it scrutinise the names of these gentlemen? Does it call for a report from Scotland Yard? Can anyone object to them?

The Prime Minister

I would not think that to be necessary. All the names that go before the Committee are of well-known persons anti I think that it does its work in a way acceptable to both sides of the House.