President Reagan (Address to Parliament) (Hansard, 8 March 1982)

§ Mr. Frank Dobson (Holborn and St. Pancras, South)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I raise the matter with you in your role as protector of the reputation of the House. There are a considerable number of hon. Members on the Opposition Benches who would like to know whether you were consulted about the suggestion, which has been given publicity in the United States of America, that the President of the United States of America has been invited to address a joint meeting of the Members of both Houses of Parliament.
There are a considerable number of hon. Members on the Opposition Benches who feel that whereas there are a number of distinguished American past Presidents and existing Heads of other States who might reasonably receive such an invitation, they do not believe that there are a substantial number of the British people who would welcome such an invitation being extended to the present President of the United States of America—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I can save the hon. Gentleman time, because I know that the Opposition are very anxious to have their full time for the debate that is to follow.
I have been here long enough not to believe all that I read in the newspapers. That is the only reply that I can give the hon. Gentleman.

§ Mr. George Cunningham (Islington, South and Finsbury)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wonder whether you could assist us, simply as a matter of information.
Some of us would be surprised if the Head of a foreign State or anyone else could be invited, apparently by Parliament—that is by the House of Commons and the House of Lords—without the two Houses actually taking a decision to do so.
I understand—and this may have been the position in the past—that it is in fact the Government who extend an invitation to Mr. X to appear in the Princes' Chamber or Westminster Hall and that then, in effect, they invite us 606 to the party, too. That is one situation, which the Government have it entirely in their own hands to arrange, I suppose. But if the invitation is from the House of Commons and the House of Lords, I hope that that needs the approval of the two Houses.
When such occasions have occurred in the past, can you, Mr. Speaker, say whether, technically, they have been invitations from the two Houses, or have they been invitations from the Government to which they have also invited hon. Members?

§ Mr. Speaker
I shall look into the matter. There has not been such a visit during my six years in the Chair—at any rate, not that I recall offhand. I shall look into the matter and write to the hon. Gentleman.

§ Mr. Peter Hardy (Rother Valley)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it not reasonable to assume that if such an invitation is to be extended, it will be extended by you as Speaker of our House and by the Lord Chancellor on behalf of the House of Lords? Will you ascertain whether that is the position?

§ Mr. Speaker
I have just undertaken to look into the matter. If the rights of the House are concerned, I am concerned.
Like everyone else, I read the morning papers, and always on a Monday morning there is a little more news than usual.
I have nothing to add. I cannot help the House.

§ Mr. Christopher Price (Lewisham, West)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. When you write to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Cunningham), may I please have a copy of the letter?

§ Mr. Speaker
I see no difficulty in that. If it will help the House I shall make a simple statement, if there is any interest in that, but I cannot say when it will be. I take time to consider these matters.