Manor of Northstead

The office of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead is a sinecure used by the UK Parliament to allow MPs to leave .

term

The Manor of Northstead was a farm with fields and farms in the Scalby area in the North Riding of Yorkshire . Around 1600 the manor house fell into disrepair, and only one shepherd lived in the entire area. It belongs to Scarborough today .

The crown appointed a royal overseer and steward who was responsible for maintaining law and order in the area. It has long been an office with no official duties for the incumbent who receives marginal remuneration.

Present function

According to a resolution of the House of Commons from 1626, MPs cannot resign. This decision results from a time when MPs could be elected against their will. On the other hand, under the Act of Settlement , a member of parliament has to leave parliament if he accepts paid office because of concerns about his independence.

A MP who wants to leave the House of Commons “applies” to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the office of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead or, alternatively, the Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds . He is then appointed and remains in office until the next appropriate case. Both of the aforementioned offices are "filled" alternately.

Web links

Information sheet of the House of Commons (PDF; 356 kB)