§ Mr. E. Shinwell (Easington)May I have your permission, Mr. Speaker, to raise a matter concerning the administration of the House of Commons?
The other day I read in the newspapers that it was the intention to televise this morning's proceedings. I was surprised to learn this, because I was under the impression that before anything of that nature could occur in the House the House would be consulted. Indeed, to the best of my recollection there was an assurance given some time ago in that regard. This morning I learned, after the televising of proceedings had been terminated, or appeared to be terminated, that a decision had been reached immediately before the dissolution by the Services Committee of the House, which had decided that this 44 arrangement for televising the proceedings should continue.
This seems rather odd, because I was under the impression—an impression which, I think, was held by most of my hon. Friends and hon. Members opposite—that the proceedings of the Services Committee must, in a matter concerning the administration of the House, be committed to the House for consideration. I am not discussing the merits of television at all—that does not concern me at this moment—I am merely considering whether a Committee of the House should have the organisation to reach a decision and implement that decision without consulting the House of Commons.
I was accused myself this morning of being associated with this on the assumption that because, some time ago, before the Dissolution, I had been Chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party, I had come to this decision, but I knew nothing about it at all. I am not seeking to vindicate myself—that is unnecessary—but I am very much concerned to prevent any Committee of the House undertaking a change in the administration of the House of Commons without the House being properly consulted.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am not concerned, obviously, with the merits of the argument which the right hon. Member has put forward. I am only concerned with advising the House on the matter of order. I understand that a number of Questions have already been handed in on this particular and very important question. They will appear on the Order Paper when the Order Paper is printed.
On the other hand, we shall be debating in a very short time the Motion for an Address in reply to the Gracious Speech and on that debate it will be in order to refer to almost any matter, as this is the broadest debate of the whole Session.
I suggest to hon. Members who feel very keenly either way on what I believe to be an historic question which the House will have to decide both for the merit of it and, as the right hon. Gentleman pointed out, the procedural aspect of it, that these are matters which could be very conveniently raised in the debate on the Address.