§ Mr. SpeakerI wish to make a personal statement.
I learned yesterday that in a Ruling against a point of order raised by the hon. Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Box) what I said in good humour—"that was an example of a point of order which a young and inexperienced hon. Member might make"—may have appeared to be both inaccurate and discourteous to the hon. Member in the context. If so, I assure both the House and the hon. Member concerned that I gladly withdraw any words in my Ruling which unwittingly gave offence.
The Chair must be firm, but never discourteous. I hope that hon. Members will never hesitate to let me know whenever I err in this way. May I again assure the House that the Chair intends, like a great predecessor, to show favour to none, but respect to all hon. Members.