HC Deb 21 January 1982 vol 16 c435
The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Francis Pym)

I beg to move, That Mr. Mark Carlisle and Mr. J. D. Concannon have leave of absence to present on behalf of this House a gift of a Speaker's Chair to the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe. The House will recall that on 10 December it approved the presentation of a Speaker's Chair from this House to the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe to mark its independence. The motion I am moving will give my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Runcorn (Mr. Carlisle) and the right hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr. Concannon) leave of absence to present the gift on our behalf. They will be accompanied by Mr. Anthony Birley, a Clerk of the House. Together, they will comprise a formal delegation for that purpose.

Mr. Charles R. Morris (Manchester, Openshaw)

I associate the official Opposition with the comments of the Leader of the House.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolved, That Mr. Mark Carlisle and Mr. J. D. Concannon have leave of absence to present on behalf of this House a gift of a Speaker's Chair to the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe.

Mr. Andrew Faulds (Warley, East)

rose—

Mr Speaker

A point of order—Mr. Faulds.

Mr. Faulds

This is not a point of order, Mr. Speaker, but may I comment on the matter?

Mr. Speaker

Of course.

Mr. Faulds

I should like to say, with some sour grapes, that it is surprising that, on one of these important parliamentary occasions, a delegation—I make no comment about the capabilities or the character of the hon. Members concerned—should be chosen that contains not one single hon. Member who has pursued Southern Rhodesia issues since the mid-1960s. I believe that the House, in its sense, should choose a delegation that would represent in that country the spirit of the House of Commons which was shown when some hon. Members, earlier than others, realised the dangers of the regime at that time.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman knows that I have allowed him much more leeway than is customary. I had put the Question and the House had agreed it. I am sure, however, that those responsible will study with care the words that he has uttered.