Chiswickite - formerly The Croydonian

The questions they ask(ed):

Mr. Hector Hughes  asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that each of the 10s., 5s. and 2s. 6d. stamps in Great Britain depicts a Royal castle beside the head of Her Majesty the Queen; and if he will authorise the issuing of a guinea stamp depicting the birthplace of Robert Burns beside the head of Her Majesty.

The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Kenneth Thompson) The Answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir," and to the second part "No, Sir."

Given that our MPs had pre-paid envelopes, perhaps Thompson was being a little presumptious.   The rather dull set of stamps in question can be seen here.    Burns has since made it onto postage stamps on numerous occasions.  Enough of ths philately.

Head in hands and gentle rocking time:


 

Sir F. Medlicott  asked the Postmaster-General if, in relation to the new design for telephone kiosks, he will consider the possibility of incorporating in a prominent position in the upper part of each box, on at least two sides, the name of the village, township or district in which the kiosk is situated.

Mr. K. Thompson My right hon. Friend is considering this matter and will write as soon as possible to the hon. Gentleman.

Sir F. Medlicott  Is my hon. Friend aware that many districts, especially villages and suburbs, are very anonymous at night and that a device such as is suggested would be of great help in enabling people, especially motorists, to know where they are and would also secure still further good will to his Department?

Mr. Thompson   These are among the considerations which we will take into account, but I must remind the House that there are some considerable arguments against the course proposed.

Doubtless children yet unborn will be lisping their praise to the successors in title to the Postmaster General for aeons to come.

Meanwhile, an opportunity for some gratuitous pics of aeroplanes:

Mr. Emrys Hughes asked the Secretary of State for Air what is his estimate of the cost of the new supersonic bomber TSR2; and when it is likely to be in operational service.

Mr. G. Brown  asked the Secretary of State for Air approximately when the new strike/reconnaissance aircraft being developed for the Royal Air Force is expected to be ready for service; what will be its approximate cost; how many will be ordered; and how its performance will compare with existing similar types of aircraft such as, for example, the United States Republic F.105.

Mr. Ward  As I explained in a written answer to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. de Freitas) on 17th December, it has been decided to develop a new strike/ reconnaissance aircraft as a replacement for the Canberra. The cost will depend upon negotiations between the Ministry of Supply and the contractors. We expect the aircraft to enter service during the mid-1960s. It would not be in the public interest to give the numbers likely to be ordered.

In the reconnaissance role the TSR2 offers advantages over the F.105 and will also be able to operate from short improvised runways which the F.105 cannot use.




It never happenned alas.  Shame, as it was rather dashing:


Competition for the F-105 on the looks front, I reckon:



Double takes dept:


EUROPEAN MONETARY AGREEMENT
Blimey- "Bill to make certain provisions of a financial nature in connection with the operation of the European Monetary Agreement, and for purposes connected therewith, presented by the Chancellor of the Exchequer; supported by the Prime Minister, Mr. R. A. Butler, Sir David Eccles, Mr. Maudling, and Mr. Erroll; read the First time; to be read a Second time upon Monday next and to be printed". 
Well x3

And here's one for anyone who thinks privatisation of BT was an error (probably not many of my regulars fall into that corner, but just in case):

Mr. Body asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the growth of demand for telephones in Basildon new town, due to the rapidly expanding population; and what steps he proposes to take to satisfy the demand pending the opening of the new automatic telephone exchange.

Mr. Thompson Yes. 270 new telephones were provided in the new town last year, and it is hoped to double that number in the next twelve months. New cables are needed, and these are being provided progressively in conjunction with new road constructions.

Nothing new under the sun:

Mr. Hector Hughes asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the danger and inconvenience caused to motorists and to motor coach and omnibus owners, drivers, passengers and the general public owing to the lack of co-ordination, uniformity of practice and timing by local authorities throughout Scotland and England in the way they in frosty and snowy weather spread or refrain from spreading sand on public roads, especially in the early morning; and if he will take steps to ensure that in these matters co-ordination is attained and greater regard is had to public safety and convenience.

Further evidence of nothing new under the sun, if under rather grimmer circumstances:


 And so back to the rather more amusing:

Unidentified Flying Objects:

Mr. Mason asked the Secretary of State for Air what specific instructions have been sent to the commanders of Royal Air Force stations to collect reports from air crews having allegedly sighted unidentified flying objects; what inquiries have been held following such sightings; and to what extent there is collaboration between his Department and the respective departments in Canada and the United States of America on this problem.

Mr. Ward  R.A.F. units have standing instructions to report unusual flying objects when they cannot readily be explained. Reports which may have a bearing on air defence are investigated. No special collaboration with Canada or the United States is required.

And to wrap up, from a debate in the Lords on giving female peers voting rights:

Lord Pethick-Lawrence -In connection with that, I should like to tell the House this true story of what Mr. Asquith once said to a person in private conversation. He was asked by a friend: "Why do you continue to oppose the introduction of women to the Parliamentary vote? Don't you think it just? Don't you think they are sure to get it?" He replied: "Yes, I agree that it is just, and I feel certain they will get it; but, please God, not in my time". That, I think, is the position of a great many people who are fighting a rearguard action in this matter of the admission into this House of those women who are Peeresses in their own right.

Labels: 1959, Parliament

Mr. E. Fletcher asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps he is taking to minimise the dangers through human consumption of fish caused by British methods of dumping radioactive waste at sea, in the light of the criticisms made at the International Atomic Energy Agency's conference at Monaco.

Mr. Godber Continuous monitoring by scientists of my Ministry and of the Atomic Energy Authority shows that the authorised discharges of radioactive waste to the sea do not give rise to any risk to consumers of fish. My right hon. Friend will, of course, study the official report of the Monaco Conference when this is received.

Mr. Fletcher Will the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind the fundamental differences in scientific circles about the dangers from the disposal of radioactive waste? Is he aware that the Windscale works disposes of more radioactive waste in the sea than is disposed of in any other country? Is the hon. Gentleman also aware that at this conference of the most eminent scientists in Europe the view was expressed that there should be no disposal of radioactive waste at all but that it should all be stored?

Mr. Godber  I am aware of the point of view put forward by certain delegates of other countries, but I should like to emphasise that we have a very careful monitoring of any area where the Windscale waste goes, and reports so far certainly do not bear out any of the fears that have been expressed.

Mr. D. Price asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that in September the price for tomatoes to the grower fell to 2s. for 12 lb., whereas the cost of production is about 9s. for 12 lb.; and what steps he intends to take to protect producers from losses of this kind.
 

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. John Hare)    In early September, market prices for tomatoes were low, ranging from 2s. to 12s. for 12 lb. according to quality, but the cost of production must be compared with returns for the season as a whole. The seasonal tariff is designed to give producers reasonable protection from excessive imports. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is answering a later Question on the subject of the tomato tariff.

Mr. LiptonWas it not made very clear by the Government not very long ago and on more than one occasion that too many pigs were being produced? What is the use of hon. Members who support the Government belly-aching now about the situation?
 

Mr. Nabarro    Not a Parliamentary term.

Doubtless.

Something rather more pleasant:

Mr. Pitman asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sum has accrued to the British Museum to date as its share of the estate of the late George Bernard Shaw.
 

Sir E. Boyle   The Answer is £163,924 10s. 5d.

And a grateful nation gives thanks.  His plan to fund a simplified spelling system having failed a test of litigation, monies also went to RADA and the National Gallery of Ireland.  
 
Meanwhile over in the Other Place, this:

LORD CONESFORD  My Lords, I beg leave to ask Her Majesty's Government the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the B.E.A. or the B.O.A.C. intend to subject their passengers to compulsory background music on any of their services; and, if so, what steps they take to warn the passengers before they buy their tickets.


THE PAYMASTER GENERAL (LORD MILLS)  My Lords, I am informed that British Overseas Airways Corporation are considering a proposal to broadcast music to passengers while aircraft are stationary on the ground. The Corporation do not envisage such broadcasting while aircraft are in the air: nor, if the proposal is adopted, do they think it necessary to warn passengers in advance. I understand that British European Airways have no similar plans.

LORD CONESFORD  My Lords, may I thank my noble friend for an Answer that is partly satisfactory? Is my noble friend aware that the helpless victim of such noise may suffer intense discomfort? Is there any possible reason why those who intend to inflict such discomfort upon him should not warn him of such intention in order to enable him to travel by other means?

....

LORD STONHAM Is the noble Lord aware that this matter involves a very great deal of tact? Because on October 9 of this year the broadcasting system of one railway station was playing, "Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag", which was offensive to almost half of Her Majesty's subjects.

Erm, lost me there.

Labels: 1959, Parliament

Still very little happening in 1909, so its this modern-ish stuff again.

The delights of Hungary under the Red Wheel:

Pretty horrendous, frankly.  Anyway, a picture:



Those French nuclear tests.  Again

Mr. Frank Allaun asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the British representative at the United Nations voted against a motion requesting France to refrain from carrying out nuclear test explosions.
....
Mr. Selwyn Lloyd The United Kingdom voted against the draft resolution put forward by certain Afro-Asian countries because it was based on the assumption—which we consider to be incorrect—that the proposed French tests would endanger health in other countries, and because we considered that our draft resolution was more realistic and constructive.

I'm sure that radioactive sand floating around the Sahara and the Sahel was a positive boon.

Anyway, the UN vote - one to savour:

EARL HOWE [...] To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their attention has been drawn to the potential danger to drivers using M.1 from objects thrown from the many bridges over the motorway; and, if so, what steps they propose to take to abate the nuisance.

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)

My Lords, there have been a few reports of people throwing objects from bridges on to the motorway. It is difficult to visualise any physical alteration to the bridges or any system of police supervision capable of preventing altogether this dangerous nuisance, which is of course an offence. It seems likely that the nuisance will diminish or disappear when the motorway is no longer a novelty. 

Labels: 1959, Parliament

Some how I do not associate the sainted and much missed Sir Keith Joseph with this sort of thing:

Mr. Iremonger asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that the purposes and operation of the Clean Air Act are being thwarted by the shortage of smokeless fuels in Greater London; and if he will make a statement.

Sir K. Joseph No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has no doubt that there will be ample supplies of good smokeless fuels to permit the creation of many more smoke control areas in Greater London.

It would be unfair not to wheel out the old story about SKJ when out and about remarking to Sir Peter Scott or somesuch:  "But how do the birds know it's a bird sanctuary?"

Still, it got worse for him:
 

Mr. Dodds asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress he has made in reducing the pollution of the River Thames and the stench from it in the vicinity of Erith...    

Mr. Dodds Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that the stench largely arises from untreated sewage? I asked whether it will be treated next year.

Sir K. Joseph  I realise that, but the stench is not only from untreated sewage. I was talking about the problem of dealing with the stench.

Who'd be a minister, eh readers?

A marginally more glamorous topic:

Mr M Stewart Are there any statistics such as appeared in the Report of the Litter Committee to show whether less litter is being dropped, because I take it that what we want is not necessarily more prosecutions but less litter? 

The clearly vexed issue of the Ty'n-y-Coed Hotel, Capel Curig (Annexe)

M r. T. W. Jones asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs on what grounds he decided to allow the annexe of the Ty'n-y-Coed Hotel, Capel Curig, 956 to be registered as a club in spite of the objections of all the local authorities concerned; and whether he will now reconsider his decision, in view of the concern expressed by all shades of public opinion.

And gearing up to enjoy himself, the Min of H & LG & WA:

Mr. H. Brooke The sole issue which came before me was a planning appeal to decide whether or not planning permission might be given for the conversion of one room in the annexe to a hotel for the purposes of a club. On consideration, it appeared to me that there were no adequate planning reasons for refusing permission, and therefore I allowed the appeal. When an appeal decision has been given the law makes no provision for then altering or withdrawing it, nor in this case would I see any ground for doing so.   I have received a number of protests not from all shades of public opinion but from temperance and religious organisations and their members.

And the man who would be one of the finer Speakers of modern times must have consulted widely:

Mr. Thomas Is the Minister aware that he could not have taken a decision more completely out of harmony with the feeling of the Welsh people? Is he aware that he has the united hostility of the Welsh people to this decision which is regarded as his back-door way of beginning Sunday opening in Wales?  

 Not quite as foolish as claiming to represent the entire working classs, but still a pretty bold claim.

Feel the sarcasm:

Mr. Chetwynd In this twentieth century, has the right hon. Gentleman not heard of such things as pumps which make water go uphill if necessary? Is it not ridiculous that we can have one authority with ample supplies while a neighbouring authority in the next basin is facing drought? Is not something more urgent needed than the words of the Government today?

Right, pop quiz:

What is, perhaps, the most famous site in the British Commonwealth?

Piccadilly Circus reckoned Kenneth Robinson, noting "Does the Minister appreciate the widespread dismay that has greeted this vulgar and unimaginative proposal for the development of what is, perhaps, the most famous site in the British Commonwealth?"

The reference to 'the development proposals for the northern sector of Piccadilly Circus' do not make it entirely clear whether it is the now site of the Trocadero or that of the all night Boots above which is a blaze of lights.


A probably not especially interesting personal sidetrack:

Mr. Donnelly asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he has taken to provide employment in the Milford Haven area when the present construction work on the Esso and BP sites comes to an end in 1960.

Mr. H. Brooke The Esso and B.P. installations will themselves provide a considerable amount of permanent employment

Like my father, God rest his soul, and my mother. 

Some wit from George Thomas:

Is the Minister aware that he has a very bad name in Wales—[An HON. MEMBER: "What is it?"] Mr. Speaker, you would rule me out of order if I described it.

The things they say:

Mr. Hale asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that Mrs. Schofield of Clackwell Street, Rochdale Road, Oldham, is living in a house of one room and scullery downstairs with no fireplace, holes in the floor and holes in the roof; and what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the health of this household.

Mr. H. Brooke  I was not aware of this case because no one had brought it to my knowledge.

Indeed, Mr Brook, indeed.

Labels: 1959, Parliament

They are being a bit quiet back in 1909, alas.

Nukes:

Mr. Swingler  asked the Minister of Defence whether it is still the Government's policy, as his predecessor stated in reply to Questions by the hon. Members for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Zilliacus) and Newcastle-under-Lyme on 11th February, 1959, to resort to nuclear weapons first in case of an attack with conventional arms on a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, South-East Asia Treaty Organisation, or the Central Treaty Organisation.

Mr. Watkinson The Government's policy remains as stated in the Annual Defence White Papers and in Parliamentary debates.

Mr. Swingler In view of the fact that criticism of this doctrine has now spread to general officers holding very important posts, who have described this policy as being one of insanity, will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the fact that no defence policy can be based on a threat to commit suicide? As this is a threat to initiate nuclear war, involving suicide for the British people, will he not turn his mind to the idea of producing a defence policy?
....
Mr. Strachey  Does not the new Minister of Defence agree that this is a very serious matter, as his Answer means that he is sticking to paragraph 12 of the 1958 White Paper, which suggests that the very first reaction to a conventional move by the enemy is "a massive nuclear bombardment of the sources of power in Russia " without any attempt to meet the attack by conventional means? Is the right hon. Gentleman sticking to that quite incredible position?

Mr. Watkinson  It is always very easy to quote sentences out of their context. The right hon. Gentleman's quotation is part of a sentence of paragraph 12 of the White Paper, which starts by saying "In fact, the strategy of N.A.T.O. is based on the frank recognition that …"
....

Mr. Watkinson I know that after his long experience in my present office the right hon. Gentleman will not disagree with me when I say that the purpose of the deterrent is to try to stop war by deterring people. Unless the deterrent is such that it does deter, it does not fulfil its purpose.

One might note that we didn't nuke India over any of the sundry Indo-Pakistan wars, and rather more unexpectedly, Cento was only dissolved in '79.  Probably just as well, as what would we have done when Iran/Iraq kicked off?

And again:

Mr. Grimond  asked the Minister of Defence if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on nuclear weapons and the means of their delivery.

Mr. Watkinson  I have no statement to make at present.

 Indeed...


A master class in weaselling:

Mr. Wade  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why instructions were given to the representative of Her Majesty's Government at the General Assembly of the United Nations to abstain on the vote on the resolution expressing grave concern over the events in Tibet and respect for the fundamental rights of the Tibetan people and for their distinctive cultural and religious life.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. John Profumo)  The United Kingdom representative at the United Nations abstained on the resolution on the question of Tibet. But I should like to make it clear that our abstention in no way implied any diminution in our sympathy with the Tibetan people or in our feelings about recent events in Tibet. Speaking in the general debate in the Assembly on 17th September, my right hon. and learned Friend said that we had been greatly grieved to hear accounts of the massive repression by Communist China, of the suppression of national liberties and of ruthless assaults upon the historic life of a sturdy and friendly people.

Shame! Shame!

And I find myself in agreement with Fenner Brockway, not something I ever expected to write:

Mr. Brockway While no one would wish to exacerbate the relations between India and China at this moment, is the hon. Gentleman aware that many of us desire to see the independence of Tibet realised and the retention of its very distinctive personality?

Hear hear.


Spain and Gib:

Mr. Dodds asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in the proposal to abolish visas between Spain and all British territories.

Mr. Profumo  We have made proposals to the Spanish Government, who have not yet replied.
 

Mr. Dodds Will the Minister bear in mind that, in referring to all British territories in the Question, I include Gibraltar? In view of the shabby way in which Spain has treated the Gibraltarians for years, can we have an assurance that in any settlement the Government will not leave out Gibraltar?

Mr. Profumo  I can assure the hon. Gentleman that there could be no question of our concluding a visa abolition agreement which does not also extend to any British Colony which wishes to be associated with it.

Hmm...

And yet more nukes:

Mr. Shinwell  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent United Kingdom representatives in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation agreed to the proposal to provide West Germany with atomic tactical weapons and guided missiles.

Mr. Profumo  As my right hon. and learned Friend explained in his reply to the right hon. Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. Bevan) on 2nd December, 1958, this was a decision of the North Atlantic 391 Council at ministerial level, in which my right hon. and learned Friend of course participated without reserve.
 
Mr. Shinwell  Is this action wise? Does the hon. Gentleman understand that if this process continues, apart from Soviet Russia, Western Germany will be the strongest military nation in Europe and armed precisely with those weapons which it was originally intended Western Germany should never possess? What has caused this change of front and this partiality to Western Germany all of a sudden?

I suppose he had a point, and WW2 was still pretty fresh in the mind, I would think.


And today's gem:

Mr. F. Noel-Baker asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what advice Her Majesty's Ambassador has given British residents in Iraq in view of the situation in that country; and if he will make a statement.

Get on the first plane out...

Somebody understood De Gaulle:

Mr. Osborne Does not my hon. Friend agree that if we were to try publicly to rebuke President de Gaulle for what he is trying to do we would only make him more obstinate and determined to [test nuclear weapons]?

Sounds about right, doesn't it?


And from the same question, this:

Mr. Bellenger Would you, Mr. Speaker, do your best to discourage Ministers from giving simple explanations?

Mr. Speaker   I have enough on my plate without trying to do that.

I can well believe it.

Labels: 1959, Parliament

A bit of 1959:

European Free Trade

Mr. Chetwynd  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the progress made in the discussions for the establishment of a European Free Trade Area both with the seven countries and the members of the Common Market.

Mr. Amory Ministers of the seven countries of the Stockholm Group will be meeting on 19th and 20th of this month to consider a draft Convention setting up a European Free Trade Association. No discussions are in progress at the present time with the Common Market countries, but it is our hope that the Convention will be a step towards a wider agreement embracing the whole of Western Europe.

Sounds like a great idea, doesn't?  Wonder if they achieved an agreement?

MPs in not wanting more money shocker:

Sir T. Moore asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider raising the prizes for holders of Premium Bonds to £10,000, to encourage the public to increase their investment.
 
Mr. Amory The Government, in consultation with the National Savings Movement, continue to keep the prize structure under review, but it is far from certain that my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion would be generally welcome.

Sir T. Moore  But surely my right hon. Friend will agree that few of us want the fantastic prizes offered by the pools—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—nor, indeed, would it be good for us to have them, but £10,000 would come in very handy to all of us—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]—inasmuch as that sum might provide a house or a business enterprise, or both? Would he, alternatively, consider extending the number of £1,000 prizes in order to achieve practically the same result?

Mr. Amory I will reserve judgment on the first part of the supplementary question, namely, whether I would welcome receiving the biggest prize. I agree with the hon. Gentleman's second point, that I am not sure that it would be for my good if I did. I should be very glad to win a £1,000 prize if that came my way.

Those Frenchies and their nuclear tests:

Mr. Brockway asked the Prime Minister what official representations he has received from the Federal Government of Nigeria regarding the projected atomic test by the French Government in the Sahara.

....

The Prime Minister  The Federal Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar, and three of his colleagues came to England in September to explain to me Nigerian anxieties about the proposed tests. I hope the information I was able to give them, together with what they heard and saw on a visit to Harwell and the arrangements we are making to help monitor radioactivity in Nigeria, will have helped to allay some of these anxieties.

Mr. Brockway Is it true to say that this is not only a matter of the safety of the fall-out—in respect of which scientists differ—but also a matter of the resentment of African countries that these tests should take place in their continent at all, when the nations concerned have had no responsibility for 202 this instrument of annihilation? If this test is so safe, would it not be possible to conduct it in one of the stations of the other N.A.T.O. countries, and not on the continent of Africa?

An argument I've heard since.  The tests were conducted in Algeria by the way, and during the Algerian war.  Surprising that the FLN weren't intimidated, I suupose.  Meandering somewhat, the Battle of Algiers is a film well worth seeing.  Fabulous Morricone soundtrack too. 

The death of a Ministry (hurrah)

Mr. Osborne asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the estimated number of civil servants who will be redundant through the closing of the Ministry of Supply; and what will be the economy in money by this change.

Sir E. Boyle The functions of the former Ministry of Supply will be carried out by other Departments, mainly the War Office and the Ministry of Aviation; and the staff will go with the functions to the new Departments. I have no reason to suppose that these changes in themselves will lead to redundancy, but it is too early to say what the net effect on total staff numbers in the Departments affected will be or on the cost of administering the services.

I can think of a few other ministries I'd like to go the same way, but where to start?

And what manner of odd ministry does this sort of thing?:

Mr. Parker asked the Minister of Works when he proposes to start work on further excavations at Avebury.

Lord John Hope It is proposed to start work next summer on the trial excavation of the North Setting at Avebury.

A rum business.

The business of pencils:

Mr. Johnson Smith asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that over 2 million pencils were imported from Iron Curtain countries during the month of August, many at 5s. a gross, and that British manufacturers have to pay this price for the wood alone; and, in view of the threat to the industry which this represents, what steps he is taking to safeguard its future; and whether he will make a statement.

Rodgers  Imports of pencils from Iron Curtain countries are restricted by quota and during August amounted to half a million. United Kingdom production exceeded 230 million last year. It is always open to an industry to supply evidence to the Board of Trade in support of an application for an anti-dumping duty. The pencil industry has already been told this.

And who knows where those red were sticking the pencils before shipping them here.


Elsewhere the Lords debated the King's Lynn bypass to the extent of 8,484 words.  Good job they didn't consider Wisbech, eh readers?

Labels: 1959, Parliament

Breaching the peace, so to speak:

Mr. Iremonger asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been received by the Metropolitan Police concerning excessive noise caused by the exhausts of various classes of motor vehicles; and how many prosecutions and how many convictions have ensued.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. David Renton) I regret that no record is available of the number of complaints received. In the first seven months of this year, there were 404 prosecutions and 385 convictions in the Metropolitan Police District for the offences of using a motor vehicle with defective silencing equipment or in such a way as to cause excessive noise.

Mr. Iremonger Could my hon. and learned Friend tell the House what is the attitude of the police to complaints by citizens about exceptional noise, to what extent such complaints are required to be corroborated by witnesses, and how many witnesses are acceptable?

Mr. Renton  When a complaint is received, the Commissioner makes arrangements to have the matter followed up by having the section of road to which the complaint relates specially patrolled and then very often a prosecution follows. Corroboration is not generally necessary.

So in other words London's finest would just go on fishing trips, as it were.  Couldn't happen now, could it?


The things they do in Carlisle:

Dr. D. Johnson asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what authority the premises of the Arroyo Arms at Harraby, Carlisle, were used for an election news broadcast on the Northern Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation on Saturday, 26th September; if he is aware that the purport of this broadcast was to extol the virtues of State Management Scheme beer in an identical manner as was being done by one of the candidates at this election, thus creating the widespread misunderstanding that these public houses, though a State institution, were actively entering the political arena; and what action he proposes to take to pre vent such misunderstandings arising in the future.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Dennis Vosper)  Permission was given for the B.B.C. to take shots of the Arroyo Arms for a film for a television news programme on the election campaign in Cumberland and North West England. 

A very rum business indeed, as Dr Johnson further notes:

Dr. D. Johnson While thanking my right hon. Friend for his very full reply, may I none the less ask him whether, in the forthcoming examination of the licensing system, he will assess the propriety of the State owning public houses as a monopoly in a single area, out of which misunderstandings of this rather paradoxical character arise?

From a separate exchange, this:


"Mr. Nabarro If I were to bring in a Bill to denationalise public houses in Carlisle, could my right hon. Friend say what would be the official attitude of Her Majesty's Government to it? Also, would he have some regard to the fact that it should be no part of the policy or purposes of the Conservative Party to own licensed premises or to promote the sale of a larger quantity of beer?


More on the insanity of the state owning pubs here. I will, with the greatest imaginable reluctance, give Heath credit for scrapping it.

Sub-headings that jar:

Coloured People, Notting Hill (Housing)

Mr. Fisher (Con, but father of Socialist MP Mark) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what report he has received from the Metropolitan Police with regard to housing exploitation of, and threats against, coloured people living in the Notting Hill area of London; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. R. A. Butler The Commissioner of Police has investigated allegations of intimidation and will continue to give attention to this matter. It would not be in the public interest for me to say more.

One would think he meant well.  But perhaps not:

Mr. Fisher I appreciate that, but can my right hon. Friend indicate what thought has been given not only to the elimination of housing exploitation, but  also, perhaps more constructively, to the provision of alternative sources of housing for coloured people, such as, for instance, through special housing associations?

I believe the correct term is 'ghetto'.

The issue of 'Private Interests (Political Propaganda)'  

....
Mr. McAdden  Would my right hon. Friend have a look at this question most carefully and bear in mind the considerable expenditure on the part of the co-operative societies and especially that part which was spent on propaganda during the election period in plastering all their windows with the words, "All Prices Reduced", thus contributing to Conservative victory?

Mr. Bevan Is it not rather extra ordinary that a Question of this importance should not have been answered by the Home Secretary? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we on this side of the House would like to take all these matters into consideration, including the co-operative societies? Is the right hon. Gentleman not further aware that the authority of the House will be reduced in the minds of citizens if it is widely felt that the election has been rigged—

Mr. Osborne Take your beating like a man.

 Mr. Bevan Rigged by means of vast expenditure of money in the possession of the wealthier members of the community? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Hon. Members will permit me to put my supplementary question. Is it not a fact that if we cannot retain the authority of the House, then, of course, people will try to redress their wrongs in other ways?

Hon. Members Threats.
 

Mr. Vosper The right hon. Gentleman will have noticed that the protests against the electoral law have come equally from both sides of the House.

A brief extract from the debate on the Cinematograph Bill:

Mr Mawby (Con)...It is not very pleasant to have to say it, but an X certificate on a film seems to be an added inducement to people to go to see it, whatever the quality, the nature or the craftsmanship of the film. We should record that British producers do not seem to have jumped on the bandwagon of those who seek to produce films which will gain an X certificate and as a consequence will presumably earn a good deal of revenue. British producers can be congratulated, in the main, on producing films of a high standard which are not trying to pander to some of the feelings which apparently many members of the British public have in saying that because a film has been given an X certificate—in  the same way as if a book has been banned—they ought to leave no stone unturned in their endeavours to see it.

The beasts...

However,

Sir Leslie Plummer  (Deptford) The hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Mawby) will not be surprised when I say that I do not quite share the enthusiasm which he expressed for the quality of British pictures. I think that the British film industry produces as many "stinkers" in proportion to the number of films it produces as the Americans do...There are some 1241 horror films coming out of Wardour Street and British studios which I would have preferred were made in Hollywood or in some other country. They are no credit to the British film industry.

....

Mr. John Hall Would my hon. Friend also agree that this "stinking awful film" will probably get a better showing throughout the cinemas of this country than would a good British film?

Mr. Cooper I could not agree more with my hon. Friend. The reason is that it has the one element which will always attract people in this country—sex. The low-cut neckline will always attract the film-goer in this country.

Here's a list of '59 box office smashes.  Maybe it was 'Some like it hot' to which they refer

Labels: 1959, Parliament

So much for my self-denying ordinance, but I need to do this to hold onto my sanity after some of the grief work has been furnishing.

In which Nye Bevan is rude about my lot:

"It must not be understood always that the success of the party opposite has been consistent with the national well-being. The party opposite has won victories before and the consequences for the nation were calamitous. It won in 1931 and its massive majority here presided over massive industrial decay in the country. The party opposite won in 1935 by a very large majority and made its peculiar contribution to the policies that led to the Second World War. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] I had not thought it necessary to arm myself with the quotations, because I thought that the speeches of the right hon. Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill) were familiar to Members on both sides of the House. I could also have armed myself with the speeches of the present Prime Minister. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] If hon. Members opposite are so thin-skinned in victory, how thin-skinned might they be in defeat?"

Not quite as pithy as "“No attempt at ethical or social seduction can eradicate from my heart a deep burning hatred for the Tory Party . . . So far as I am concerned they are lower than vermin.”


And:

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the way in which the party opposite uses its victory and the large Parliamentary majority that it now commands may be responsible for the future of democratic government in the Western world. There is no reason whatever why we in this House should be complacent about the situation. Democracy is not very powerfully established in Portugal or Spain, and in France it could hardly be described at present as a classic form of Parliamentary government. 

Whereas Labour always uses its majorities so wisely....  I would have been inclined to say the Iberian nations laboured under dictatorships, personally.

So - time for a five year plan, and lots of steel plants

Labels: 1959, Parliament, the media

The all important question of meat pies.  Giving, I believe an answer to the age old question of 'who ate all the pies'.

Yes, really:

Mr. Dodds  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the popularity of meat pies, and the disparity in the nature of their contents, what consideration has been given, or contemplated by his Department, to the complex problems involved, in order to ensure that reasonable standards are observed in the interests of consumers.

Mr. John Hare The question of a statutory standard for meat pies has been referred to the Food Standards Committee. I understand that the Committee is seeking the co-operation of local authorities to obtain detailed information about the types, composition, labelling and price of meat pies at present on sale to the public.

Mr. Dodds Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us when we can have some report from the Food Standards Committee, which commenced its investigation into the composition of meat pies in 1956? May we not know the result of its labours up to date?

Mr. Hare I think that the hon. Gentleman knows what a complicated subject the composition of meat pies is; it is almost as complicated as the composition of the sausage. I am assured by the Committee that it has not sufficient information available to it, and that is why it is to consult local authorities.

I suspect that quango devoted itself to eating through every available pie offered up for its delectation.  I can vouch for the excellence of Scotch Pies, and encomia for lesser known pies of the British Isles would be welcome.

1959 would appear to have been a golden age for trenchermen of every stripe:

"Mr. Dodds asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Lord Privy Seal, what is the position with regard to the proposed official Meat Research Institute.

Mr. Godber My noble Friend informs me that a small temporary station is to be established near Cambridge to expand the work already being done at the Low Temperature Research Station and elsewhere.     

Not entirely sure I see the connection, but I would have offered myself up as a volunteer bacon sandwich etc tester.  However, adjusting my quango-hunting deerstalker, could not the two bodies have been combined? 


Arms to Cuba:

Mr. de Freitas asked the Minister of Aviation what factors he takes into account when advising aircraft manufacturers whether or not to sell military aircraft to foreign countries.

Mr. Sandys  Provided there are no political or strategic objections, and provided the purchaser is able to pay, we naturally encourage British industry to export its wares to any country where it can find a market for them.

Mr. de Freitas asked the Minister of Aviation how many British fighter aircraft have been delivered to Cuba since the assumption of power by Senor Fidel Castro.

Mr. Sandys  Five Sea Furies have been delivered to Cuba since the change of Government. They were the last five of an order for seventeen which had already been paid for by the former Cuban Government.

Well, well, well.

Here's  a Canadian one:

Handsome, no?  Apparently the Cubans used theirs during the Bay of Pigs debacle: "The Cuban air force armed inventory included Douglas B-26 Invader light bombers, Hawker Sea Fury fighters, and Lockheed T-33 jets, all remaining from the Fuerza Aérea del Ejército de Cuba (FAEC), the Cuban air force of the Batista government".

Giving it straight:

Mr. E. L. Mallalieu asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he proposes to make to the Government of the German Federal Republic about the cancellation of tickets booked by British subjects in the United Kingdom for the Oberammergau Passion Play in 1960.

Mr. Profumo  I understand the position to be as follows. No actual bookings can be made in the United Kingdom for the Oberammergau Passion Play. Tickets, which cover a seat for the Passion Play and overnight accommodation in the village, are allocated by a central office in Oberammergau. Many more people apply to see the Passion Play than can be accommodated, and the acceptance of a booking by an agent in the United Kingdom is no guarantee that it can be accepted by the Passion Play authorities in Oberammergau. As this appears to be a simple question of supply and demand, no useful purpose would be served by making representations to the Government of the German Federal Republic.

Take that Mallalieu.  He would appear to be the father of  that horsey Socialist woman of the same name.  Horsey as in given to matters equestrian, rather than being blessed with Margaret Beckett's looks that is. 

Labels: 1959, Parliament

"Billericay is the most remarkable constituency in the country. There is nothing quite like it. Certainly, if the speed with which its election result was announced is to be a test, Billericay is the most advanced constituency in the country. It is a fascinating division, a microcosm of Britain, where the new is pressing hard upon the old—too hard, some people think, for in places like Pitsea, Vange and Laindon many watch nervously as the new town of Basildon stretches out towards them. The benefits of Basildon for those people are not always apparent or appreciated.
None the less, Basildon is an exciting new town where the wide windows of modern factories overlook green fields, a town of contemporary designs and primary colours, and, more important, prosperous industries. It all began ten years ago. Now it is a very fine place to live in, and I believe that the sooner we drop the prefix "new" the better. As striking as the freshness of its architecture is the friendliness and vitality of its people".

Conservatism, as I understand it and have seen it develop over the years, has never meant a negative policy of keeping things as they are. Indeed, if that had been our approach to the problems 72 of this century, we should still be in opposition, or perhaps a small, dwindling party, like the Jacobite Party in the eighteenth century.

Mr. Emrys Hughes (South Ayrshire)  Or the Tory Party in Scotland today.
 
The Prime Minister Even in Scotland we polled more votes than hon. Gentlemen opposite. They should get one of their statisticians to help them. 

I am sure that hon. Members will feel that their time is profitably used when they consider our schemes for the improvement of horticultural marketing; our Measures for penal reform; our Measures to deal with the problem of juvenile crime; or when they are asked to consider the law relating to building societies and the protection of those who lend their savings to them. For Scotland, the Mental Health Bill, which is the counterpart of the Bill introduced for England and Wales last Session, will be brought in.

Labels: 1959, Parliament