§ Mr. Dennis Canavan (West Stirlingshire)I beg to move,
That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require any person who has given up membership of the House of Commons in order to take office as a member or employee of the European Economic Commission and who then seeks re-election to the House of Commons to declare on the ballot paper all the extra remuneration which he has received or is receiving as a result of his membership of or employment by the European Economic Commission; and for connected purposes.It is just over six years since the Common Market referendum. It can now be seen as a gigantic con trick. The referendum campaign succeeded in conning millions of people. They were conned by the propaganda of the British Establishment, the forces of big business, the Tory Party, the Liberal Party, and those who have since left the Labour Party to join the so-called Social Democratic Party.One of the slogans that the pro-Marketeers were using then was "Jobs for the boys". That can now be seen to be the lie that it is, because Common Market membership for Britain has been an unmitigated disaster in terms of jobs, industry, agriculture, fisheries, trade and the ability of the people of this country to determine their own affairs through parliamentary democracy.
Yet, in a sense, that same slogan "Jobs for the boys" has at least one ring of truth, because the president of the Britain in Europe referendum campaign at that time was a Mr. Roy Jenkins. Less than two years later, in January 1977, after failing to win the leadership of the Labour Party, he deserted the Parliamentary Labour Party and his constituents in Stechford in order to take up a better-paid job as President of the Common Market Commission. He took with him another Euro-fanatic, Mr. David Marquand, who deserted the Parliamentary Labour Party and his constituents in Ashfield in order to take up a better-paid job with the Commission.
Some of us predicted then that it would be only a matter of time before those traitors left the Labour Party altogether, the Labour Party that gave them their first chance in political life, the Labour Party that they used to get themselves elected to Parliament—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman must not make the speech that he would make if the House granted him permission to introduce the Bill. He must give the reasons why he wishes to introduce it.
§ Mr. CanavanThat same Labour Party enabled Mr. Jenkins to become a Cabinet Minister and President of the EEC Commission, which is relevant to the long title of the Bill.
In January of this year, sure enough, he returned, and within a matter of weeks he had set up a new outfit, the Social Democratic Party. In other words, having failed to destabilise the Labour Party—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder.
§ Mr. Canavan—from within—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. If the hon. Gentleman does not resume his seat when I stand up, next time, I shall request him to resume his seat instead of continuing, and I shall put the Question. When I stand up and say "Order", any hon. Member on his feet should resume his seat at once.
1185 The hon. Gentleman must realise that he is not free to make the speech that he would make if he were moving that his Bill be read a Second time. He must explain the terms of his Bill.
§ Mr. CanavanThis man did not receive much response from the rank and file of the Labour Party, although he managed to seduce a few Members of this House who are afraid to submit themselves for re-election under their new banner. They are now seeking to increase their representation in the House by putting up Mr. Roy Jenkins as a candidate in the Warrington by-election. It seems that he is now intent on using the good people of Warrington as a stepping stone between Brussels and Westminster—
§ Mr. Michael Neubert (Romford)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it not clear that not only is the hon. Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. Canavan) reading his speech but that he is unable to deviate from his script when you ask him to give reasons for bringing in the Bill?
§ Mr. SpeakerIt is an abuse of our rules for the hon. Gentleman not to do as I have asked—to explain what would be in his Bill—and to make a Second Reading speech. If he continues, I shall ask him to resume his seat.
§ Mr. CanavanI am coming to the point about the money that Mr. Jenkins made, which is referred to in—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman will, without further delay, state the contents of his Bill. Otherwise, I must tell him that he will not proceed any further.
§ Mr. CanavanThe Bill would require people such as Mr. Roy Jenkins to state on the ballot paper at a general election or by-election in which they seek membership of the House the amount of money that they have made from the Common Market. In 1977, when Mr. Roy Jenkins became president of the Common Market Commission, his salary was £43,500 per annum, virtually tax-free, plus £14,000 per annum in various allowances. Four years later the salary had increased to over £60,000 a year and—[Interruption.]—the allowances to over £18,000 a year.
§ Mr. Bob Cryer (Keighley)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am trying to listen intently to my hon. Friend's speech, in which he is elaborating a very important point. Unfortunately, although you may not hear them, three members of the so-called Social Democratic Party sitting behind me are continually shouting, and I cannot hear.
§ Mr. SpeakerI notice from time to time that many hon. Members who themselves are given to interrupting will draw my attention to the fact that interruptions are taking place. If all hon. Members will observe the rule that the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) has so kindly outlined, our proceedings will be better.
§ Mr. CanavanI did not complain about being interrupted, Mr. Speaker. I shall carry on regardless.
By the time Mr. Roy Jenkins lifted his books as President of the Common Market Commission, this man, who preaches excessive wage restraint for working-class people—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I shall now put the Question. The hon. Gentleman has declined—
§ Mr. Arthur Lewis (Newham, North-West)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I have been here long enough to 1186 know that Mr. Speaker can never be wrong, but it is possible that Mr. Speaker has not been acquainted with all the facts when he makes his remarks.
I was in the House only yesterday when my hon. Friend the Member for Berwick arid East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson) moved that leave be given to bring in a Private Member's Bill and the hon. Member for Banff (Mr. Myles) opposed the motion. I listened to the hon. Gentleman's speech, understanding it as best I could, despite trouble with the hon. Gentleman's dialect. He rambled on about various matters, including who owned what, whether a certain chap had a big landed estate and whether he had his own farm. It was nothing to do with the Bill, yet the hon. Gentleman went on to explain—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. In that case, I was sadly lacking. The Question is, That the hon. Gentleman have leave to bring in his Bill.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Cormack—on a point of order?
§ Mr. CormackI do not want to make a long speech., Mr. Speaker, but I believe that the hon. Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. Canavan) has abused the House.
§ Mr. SpeakerI thought that the hon. Gentleman was rising on a point of order.
§ Mr. CormackI rose to oppose the Bill, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. John Silkin (Deptford)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am sure that the House will regard the matter that has been raised as very important, because it affects both sides of the House, and the decision now will decide it for a long time.
I would not for one moment dispute your ruling, Mr Speaker, but I think that this is the first time that any of us have known a speech introducing a Ten-Minute Bill to be so narrowly confined. I can understand that that is true of a speech on a Standing Order No. 9 application, but it is often difficult if one is introducing a Bill under the Ten Minutes Rule to stick purely to the words of the Bill and an explanation of what the Bill does, without going into wider aspects of policy.
You are always very kind and considerate to the House, Mr. Speaker. Sometimes we undoubtedly overstep the rules of order. But I beg you to consider whether your ruling today might not be a little too narrow for us in the future.
§ Mr. SpeakerI was leaning over backwards to try to be fair. I gave the hon. Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. Canavan) three or four chances. I have often had occasion before to draw hon. Members' attention to the fact that they are not supposed to make the speech that they would make if they were granted permission to introduce a Bill, but as a rule I have suggested that the hon. Member concerned should link his remarks to the Bill by saying that if it were introduced such and such a thing would happen. However, the hon. Gentleman seemed—to me, at least—to be bent on making the speech that he has prepared, whether or not it dealt with the content of the proposed Bill. The Ten Minutes Rule is not intended merely to allow hon. Members to make a speech on a favourite subject that happens to be topical.
I want to keep the House in as good a mood as I can and I will allow the hon. Member for West Stirlingshire 1187 to continue if he will relate his remarks to the content of his Bill. He must do that or I shall have to interrupt him, notwithstanding the request from the right hon. Member for Deptford (Mr. Silkin), who intervened from the Opposition Front Bench to try to help his hon. Friend. In view of the right hon. Gentleman's appeal, I will allow the hon. Member for West Stirlingshire to continue as long as he refers to the contents of the Bill. About seven minutes of the hon. Gentleman's time has gone.
§ Mr. CanavanIf my Bill were introduced and received its First, Second and Third Readings and, perhaps the Royal Assent today, the ballot paper at the Warrington by-election tomorrow would contain the words "This man, Roy Jenkins, has already made more than —¼ million out of the Common Market and stands to gain perhaps another £¼ million if he lives to the ripe old age of 80."
Let me explain that point in a couple of minutes. Despite the fact that Roy Jenkins has given up his Common Market job and is seeking election to the House, he is entitled to severance pay of more than £30,000 a year for three years—a golden handshake of more than £90,000.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Will the hon. Gentleman make his speech respectable by saying that his Bill will stop the severance pay, or will he link the severance pay with the provisions of the Bill?
§ Mr. CanavanMy Bill will, unfortunately, not stop the severance pay, but it will provide that ballot papers at Warrington will state clearly what this man has made out of the Common Market. If he lives to 65—and he might even manage that if he does not have too much claret and good living—he will get not a mere State pension of £27.50 a week but 18 per cent. of his retiring salary, totalling £11,000 per annum. If he manages to become an octogenarian he will be half-way to becoming a millionaire. The people of Warrington ought to be aware of that before they go to the polls tomorrow.
We hear much about opportunism and adventurism by politicians. This story seems to be straight out of the pages of the "Boys' Own" comic. When it comes to winning bonuses and European trophies, even Roy of the Rovers is no match for Roy of the Market. Of course, Roy of the Common Market has a distinct advantage. He will change his jersey at half-time if he thinks that he is not winning.
§ Mr. SpeakerIs the hon. Gentleman rising to oppose the Bill?
§ Mr. CormackYes, Mr. Speaker. If there were ever an example of opportunism, we have just seen it. The hon. Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. Canavan) displays not only an ignorance of the postal votes system and what goes on ballot papers but a touching faith in the speed of the British printing industry. He has abused the procedures of the House, and that should go on record before we vote down his ridiculous measure.
§ Mr. James Lamond (Oldham, East)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I do not know whether the hon. Member for Staffordshire, South-West (Mr. Cormack) has 1188 concluded his speech, but if he has I am surprised that you did not interrupt him, because he did not mention anything contained in the Bill.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. We can have only one speech after the main speech.
§ Question put, pursuant to Standing Order No. 13 (Motions for leave to bring in Bills and nomination of Select Committees at commencement of public business):—
§ The House divided: Ayes 119, Noes 203.
1190| Division No. 271] | [4.15 pm |
| AYES | |
| Adams, Allen | McDonald, Dr Oonagh |
| Ashton, Joe | McElhone, Frank |
| Atkinson, N. (H'gey,) | McKay, Allen (Penistone) |
| Barnett, Guy (Greenwich) | McKelvey, William |
| Bennett, Andrew (St'kp't N) | McMahon, Andrew |
| Booth, Rt Hon Albert | McNamara, Kevin |
| Bray, Dr Jeremy | McTaggart, Robert |
| Brown, Hugh D. (Proven) | McWilliam, John |
| Callaghan, Jim (Midd't'n & P) | Marshall, D (G'gow S'ton) |
| Canavan, Dennis | Marshall, Jim (Leicester S) |
| Clark, Hon A. (Plym'th, S'n) | Martin, M (G'gow S'burn) |
| Clark, Dr David (S Shields) | Maxton, John |
| Cocks, Rt Hon M. (B'stol S) | Meacher, Michael |
| Cook, Robin F. | Miller, Dr M. S. (E Kilbride) |
| Cowans, Harry | Morris, Rt Hon C. (O'shaw) |
| Cox, T. (W'dsw'th, Toot'g) | Morton, George |
| Cunningham, Dr J. (W'h'n) | Moyle, Rt Hon Roland |
| Davis, T. (B'ham, Stechf'd) | Newens, Stanley |
| Deakins, Eric | O'Neill, Martin |
| Dean, Joseph (Leeds West) | Orme, Rt Hon Stanley |
| Dixon, Donald | Pavitt, Laurie |
| Dobson, Frank | Pendry, Tom |
| Dormand, Jack | Powell, Raymond (Ogmore) |
| Dubs, Alfred | Proctor, K. Harvey |
| Duffy, A. E. P. | Richardson, Jo |
| Eadie, Alex | Roberts, Ernest (Hackney N) |
| Eastham, Ken | Roberts, Gwilym (Cannock) |
| Edwards, R. (W'hampt'n S E) | Robinson, G. (Coventry NW) |
| Ellis, R. (NE D'bysh're) | Rooker, J. W. |
| English, Michael | Sever, John |
| Evans, loan (Aberdare) | Sheldon, Rt Hon R. |
| Fletcher, Ted (Darlington) | Silkin, Rt Hon J. (Deptford) |
| Foulkes, George | Skinner, Dennis |
| Garrett, John (Norwich S) | Smith, Rt Hon J. (N Lanark) |
| Garrett, W. E. (Wallsend) | Snape, Peter |
| Graham, Ted | Soley, Clive |
| Grant, George (Morpeth) | Spearing, Nigel |
| Grant, John (Islington C) | Spriggs, Leslie |
| Hardy, Peter | Stallard, A. W. |
| Harrison, Rt Hon Walter | Stoddart, David |
| Haynes, Frank | Summerskill, Hon Dr Shirley |
| Heffer, Eric S. | Taylor, Mrs Ann (Bolton W) |
| Hogg, N. (E Dunb't'nshire) | Thomas, Dafydd (Merioneth) |
| Homewood, William | Thomas, Dr R. (Carmarthen) |
| Hooley, Frank | Tilley, John |
| Huckfield, Les | Tinn, James |
| Hughes, Roy (Newport) | Torney, Tom |
| Janner, Hon Greville | Urwin, Rt Hon Tom |
| Jay, Rt Hon Douglas | Varley, Rt Hon Eric G. |
| Johnson, James (Hull West) | Walker, Rt Hon H. (D'caster) |
| Johnson, Walter (Derby S) | Welsh, Michael |
| Jones, Barry (East Flint) | White, Frank R. |
| Jones, Dan (Burnley) | Whitehead, Phillip |
| Kilroy-Silk, Robert | Wilson, William (C'try SE) |
| Lamond, James | Winnick, David |
| Leighton, Ronald | Woolmer, Kenneth |
| Lestor, Miss Joan | Young, David (Bolton E) |
| Lewis, Arthur (N'ham NW) | |
| Lewis, Ron (Carlisle) | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Litherland, Robert | Mr. Bob Cryer and |
| Lofthouse, Geoffrey | Mr. Russell Ken |
| Lyon. Alexander (York) |
| NOES | |
| Adley, Robert | Fitch, Alan |
| Alison, Michael | Fletcher, A. (Ed'nb'gh N) |
| Amery, Rt Hon Julian | Fletcher-Cooke, Sir Charles |
| Ancram, Michael | Forman, Nigel |
| Arnold, Tom | Fox, Marcus |
| Baker, Nicholas (N Dorset) | Fraser, Rt Hon Sir Hugh |
| Banks, Robert | Galbraith, Hon T. G. D. |
| Beaumont-Dark, Anthony | Garel-Jones, Tristan |
| Beith, A. J. | Glyn, Dr Alan |
| Bennett, Sir Frederic (T'bay) | Goodhew, Victor |
| Benyon, W. (Buckingham) | Goodlad, Alastair |
| Berry, Hon Anthony | Gorst, John |
| Best, Keith | Gower, Sir Raymond |
| Bevan, David Gilroy | Greenway, Harry |
| Biffen, Rt Hon John | Griffiths, E. (B'y St. Edm'ds) |
| Biggs-Davison, John | Griffiths, Peter Portsm'th N) |
| Body, Richard | Grimond, Rt Hon J. |
| Bonsor, Sir Nicholas | Grist, Ian |
| Boscawen, Hon Robert | Grylls, Michael |
| Boyson, Dr Rhodes | Gummer, John Selwyn |
| Braine, Sir Bernard | Hamilton, Hon A. |
| Bright, Graham | Hamilton, Michael (Salisbury) |
| Brinton, Tim | Hampson, Dr Keith |
| Brooke, Hon Peter | Hannam, John |
| Brown, Michael (Brigg & Sc'n) | Haselhurst, Alan |
| Browne, John (Winchester) | Havers, Rt Hon Sir Michael |
| Buck, Antony | Hayhoe, Barney |
| Bulmer, Esmond | Henderson, Barry |
| Burden, Sir Frederick | Higgins, Rt Hon Terence L. |
| Butcher, John | Hooson, Tom |
| Cadbury, Jocelyn | Horam, John |
| Cant, R. B. | Howe, Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey |
| Chapman, Sydney | Howell, Ralph (N Norfolk) |
| Clark, Sir W. (Croydon S) | Howells, Geraint |
| Colvin, Michael | Hunt, David (Wirral) |
| Cope, John | Hunt, John (Ravensbourne) |
| Cormack, Patrick | Irving, Charles (Cheltenham) |
| Corrie, John | Jenkin, Rt Hon Patrick |
| Cranborne, Viscount | Jessel, Toby |
| Crouch, David | Johnson Smith, Geoffrey |
| Douglas-Hamilton, Lord J. | Johnston, Russell (Inverness) |
| Dunn, Robert (Dartford) | Jopling, Rt Hon Michael |
| Durant, Tony | Kaberry, Sir Donald |
| Edwards, Rt Hon N. (P'broke) | Kellett-Bowman, Mrs Elaine |
| Eggar, Tim | Kilfedder, James A. |
| Emery, Peter | Knight, Mrs Jill |
| Eyre, Reginald | Knox, David |
| Fairbairn, Nicholas | Lamont, Norman |
| Fairgrieve, Russell | Lang, Ian |
| Farr, John | Langford-Holt, Sir John |
| Fell, Anthony | Lawson, Rt Hon Nigel |
| Fenner, Mrs Peggy | Le Marchant, Spencer |
| Fisher, Sir Nigel | Lester, Jim (Beeston) |
| Lewis, Kenneth (Rutland) | Rossi, Hugh |
| Lloyd, Peter (Fareham) | Rost, Peter |
| Loveridge, John | Sainsbury, Hon Timothy |
| Luce, Richard | Sandelson, Neville |
| McNair-Wilson, P. (New F'st) | Shelton, William (Streatham) |
| McQuarrie, Albert | Shersby, Michael |
| Major, John | Sims, Roger |
| Marland, Paul | Skeet, T. H. H. |
| Marten, Neil (Banbury) | Speed, Keith |
| Maude, Rt Hon Sir Angus | Speller, Tony |
| Mawby, Ray | Spence, John |
| Mawhinney, Dr Brian | Spicer, Jim (West Dorset) |
| Mayhew, Patrick | Spicer, Michael (S Worcs) |
| Mellor, David | Stainton, Keith |
| Mills, Iain (Meriden) | Stanbrook, Ivor |
| Mitchell, David (Basingstoke) | Stanley, John |
| Mitchell, R. C. (Soton Itchen) | Stewart, Ian (Hitchin) |
| Monro, Hector | Stewart, A. (E Renfrewshire) |
| Montgomery, Fergus | Stokes, John |
| Morgan, Geraint | Stradling Thomas, J. |
| Morris, M. (N'hampton S) | Thomas, Rt Hon Peter |
| Morrison, Hon C. (Devizes) | Thompson, Donald |
| Mudd, David | Thorne, Neil (Ilford South) |
| Murphy, Christopher | Townend, John (Bridlington) |
| Myles, David | Townsend, Cyril D, (B'heath) |
| Neubert, Michael | Trippier, David |
| Newton, Tony | Trotter, Neville |
| Normanton, Tom | van Straubenzee, W. R. |
| Onslow, Cranley | Vaughan, Dr Gerard |
| Osborn, John | Viggers, Peter |
| Owen, Rt Hon Dr David | Waddington, David |
| Page, John (Harrow, West) | Wainwright, R. (Colne V) |
| Page, Rt Hon Sir G. (Crosby) | Wakeham, John |
| Page, Richard (SW Herts) | Ward, John |
| Parris, Matthew | Warren, Kenneth |
| Pawsey, James | Wells, John (Maidstone) |
| Penhaligon, David | Wells, Bowen |
| Percival, Sir Ian | Wheeler, John |
| Powell, Rt Hon J.E. (S Down) | Wickenden, Keith |
| Prentice, Rt Hon Reg | Wiggin, Jerry |
| Price, Sir David (Eastleigh) | Wigley, Dafydd |
| Raison, Timothy | Williams, D. (Montgomery) |
| Rees, Peter (Dover and Deal) | Wilson, Gordon (Dundee E) |
| Rhodes James, Robert | Winterton, Nicholas |
| Ridley, Hon Nicholas | Wrigglesworth, Ian |
| Rifkind, Malcolm | Younger, Rt Hon George |
| Roberts, M. (Cardiff NW) | |
| Roberts, Wyn (Conway) | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Roper, John | Mr. Robert Atkins and |
| Ross, Stephen (Isle of Wight) | Mr. John MacKay. |
| Ross, Wm. (Londonderry) |
§ Question accordingly negatived.