§ Mr. SpeakerI have a statement to make. I am constantly reminded by hon. Members that an important part of my responsibility is to protect the rules and privileges of the House. Because I am conscious of this duty, I seek to make a brief statement about our customs. The beginning of the new year is the proper time to make such a statement.
Both the dignity and authority of the House have been protected for centuries by the general observance of our traditions and customs. One of our oldest customs is that when any hon. Member contributes to a debate it is a courtesy for that hon. Member to stay and listen at least to the next speaker and certainly to be in his or her place for the winding-up speeches. That is such an ordinary courtesy that it should not be necessary to mention it, but I fear that it is necessary.
Secondly, when hon. Members seek leave to give notice that because they are dissatisfied with a Minister's reply to a question they propose to raise the subject on the Adjournment, it is customary to use the formula "In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment." I expect hon. Members to adhere strictly to that formula in future.
Finally, it is a long-established tradition in the House that when an hon. Member is on his feet in the Chamber addressing the House another hon. Member does not pass between him and the Chair. I have drawn attention to these customs of ours because there has been a tendency for them to be undermined.