§ Q5. Mr. Palmerasked the Prime Minister if he will recommend to Her Majesty the appointment of a Commission to review and report on the honours system and methods used to make awards, and that the Commission be asked to make recommendations for enhancing the prestige and standing of awards and making styles and titles accord with the public dignity of a modern nation.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. PalmerIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a widespread feeling that the present honours system has fallen largely into disrepute and that it is no longer representative of true social merit? Will not an innovating Administration like his own consider fundamental reform?
§ The Prime MinisterI am giving a lot of thought to these matters myself, and I hope shortly to be able to make a statement in the House. I do not think that a Commission is the right way of dealing with the situation.
§ Mr. John SmithWould it not meet the point if the Prime Minister were to make his recommendations for honours more from amongst those who apply for them, as is done with the new Queen's Award for Industry?
§ The Prime MinisterIn the case of the Queen's Award for Industry, it is necessary for the Advisory Committee to have particulars of the export and productivity performances of firms. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that if it were a question of appointing those who apply for it, I would have a very wide field of selection, but I am not sure that the qualitative result would be as satisfactory as the quantitative.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWhy does the Prime Minister make such a brutally negative reply to his hon. Friend—