HC Deb 15 March 1982 vol 20 cc19-20
Mr. Patrick Cormack (Staffordshire, South-West)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I ask for your guidance? The word "chairperson" was used in question 13 today. May I ask you to instruct the Table Office not to accept that abomination and abortion of the English language? Will you also give an assurance to the House that any future occupant of your Chair of the fair sex, will—like the late Miss Betty Harvie Anderson, who chaired our proceedings with such distinction and charm—be referred to as Deputy Speaker, Speaker, or Chairman of Ways and Means?

Mr. Speaker

Order, I hope that nobody will ever refer to me as "Chairperson". I shall look at what the hon. Gentleman has said. I share his lack of enthusiasm for that word.