HC Deb 27 July 1977 vol 936 cc634-5
Mr. Mellish

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. My point is on an entirely different matter. I apologise in advance if I in any way embarrass you. However, I am bewildered, because on the Order Paper today there is a motion that expresses the view of a number of right hon. and hon. Members of the Opposition who say that they have no confidence in the Father of the House, my right hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Mr. Strauss).

Hon. Members

Shame.

Mr. William Hamilton

It is squalid rubbish.

Mr. Mellish

I am assuming that this motion arises from the fact that the Father of the House had put down an amendment to the important motions that were debated yesterday. Frankly, I would not support that amendment but, having said that, I would be the first to support my right hon. Friend's democratic right to table any amendment that he wished to table. In your view, Mr. Speaker, the amendment was in order, and you allowed a vote and some hon. Members supported it. I am not asking for any particular ruling. I am not sure whether you have any rights about what motions are put down. However, it is a sad day when an hon. Member exercises his democratic rights in that fashion and then such a motion appears on the Order Paper.

Mr. Speaker

I allowed latitude on the point of order.

Perhaps I may tell the House—I might as well get this on the record now—that I have told some of the authorities in the House that if ever the occasion arises when a reprimand has to be administered by the Speaker on behalf of the House, I never intend to put that black hat on my head.