§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I want to make a brief statement but one that is not unimportant, further to the ruling that I gave on Tuesday last, that in future my eye is more likely to fall on those hon. Members who occupy places in the Chamber proper than on those who are using the Side Galleries. The House has authorised the making of a continuous tape recording of our proceedings for the purposes of sound broadcasting. The Side Galleries are not equipped with microphones, so no adequate recording can be made of speeches or interventions by hon. Members occupying those Galleries. I wish to make it clear, therefore, that until the House instructs me otherwise I do not propose to call hon. Members to speak from the Side Galleries, unless their reason for being there is that the Floor of the House and their normal side of the House is full.
§ Later—
§ Mr. Leslie Spriggs (St. Helens)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wish to question you about the statement that you made a few moments ago. In view of what has transpired over a number of years since broadcasting commenced in the Chamber, will the power of editing be taken away from the present Editor and put in your hands, because it appears to me that the Editor has edited out a number of questions and answers on transport?
§ Mr. SpeakerI have every confidence in and am deeply grateful to those who report our proceedings in the House. I shall, of course, look into the matter that the hon. Gentleman has raised.