PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE (TELEVISION) (Hansard, 29 October 1974)

§ Mr. Anthony Fell (Yarmouth)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I raise the question of the televising of this House today? My understanding is that permission was sought, Sir, under your guidance and you, I understand—no doubt you will correct me if I am wrong—gave permission for the televising of the proceedings of the House this morning after consulting the Chairman of the Services Committee and also the leaders of the three major parties—the Labour Party, the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party.
With respect, Mr. Speaker, I believe this to be an important point for the House to consider. We are now in a situation where something has been approved by people other than the Members of the House of Commons. May I therefore ask by whom, by what authority, and by what resolution of the House the televising of the House for the opening of Parliament was done this morning?

§ Mr. Douglas Henderson (Aberdeenshire, East)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I point out that the four major parties were consulted?

§ Mr. Speaker
The answer to the point of order is quite simple. I take the responsibility. Mr. Speaker is still entrusted with certain discretions by the House. I was put in the position of having to take a decision, and I acted in accordance with precedent. What was done occurred on two previous occasions. I consulted a number of people. The whole blame is therefore mine, and I accept the responsibility.

§ Mr. Fell
While at once accepting the difficulty in which you, Mr. Speaker, found yourself, I nevertheless must protest most strongly that something that affects every Member of this House should be a matter for a decision not only of the leaders of the parties and of the Chairman of the Services Committee but of the House itself.

§ Mr. Speaker
I think that the hon. Member has a very fair point. It is impossible for me to consult every Member of the House during the recess. If the hon. Gentleman will get the Committee 47 on Procedure or some other body to advise on an appropriate procedure, I shall be willing to conform to that procedure. Until that happens, I shall continue to exercise my discretion.