HC Deb 25 March 1980 vol 981 cc1192-3

Mr. Gerry Neale accordingly presented a Bill to make legal provision for local education authorities to accept voluntary financial aid and voluntary services from any source for the purpose of furthering the teaching skills and expanding the ancillary facilities and teaching aids in all or any of their nursery, primary or secondary schools: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time upon Friday 4 July and to be printed. [Bill 174.]

Mr. Freud

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Standing Order 34 decrees that the doors shall be locked not sooner than eight minutes after a Division is called. It was difficult not to notice that the hon. Member for Poole (Mr. Ward) was nearly decapitated trying to get through the door. It seemed to me that you were watching at the time. To decide that there is one second in it either way, so that an hon. Member is almost impaled by the Lobby door, seems a strange interpretation, if I may say so, of Standing Orders.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's concern for the hon. Member. The last thing I want is for the hon. Member to be decapitated. I simply operate the rule. The doors are locked after eight minutes. It is a matter of great sadness if hon. Members do not get through the Lobbies.

Mr. Freud

Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The Standing Order refers to a period of not less than eight minutes. It does not say "eight minutes"

Mr. Deputy Speaker

I hope that the hon. Member is not accusing me of having the doors locked so that people might be injured.