§ Mr. David Crouch (Canterbury)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wished to raise my point of order after the private notice question in the hope that the temperature of the House, after Prime Minister's Question Time today, would have fallen a little. It concerns order in the House during Prime Minister's Question Time.
It is early days in this Parliament, but you must already have noticed, Mr. Speaker, that when the Prime Minister answers questions there is considerably more noise than used to occur. The Prime Minister needs no defence from me or any other hon. Member. No one is better able than she is to do that. However, I appeal to you, Mr. Speaker, to take note that others listen to the radio and to what goes on in the House. They listen in particular to Prime Minister's Question Time. If we sound more like a bear garden or circus, it does the House no service. I am sure that all hon. Members would support you, Mr. Speaker, if you sought to establish a greater understanding of order during that twice weekly quarter of an hour period. This afternoon, the Prime Minister herself had to remind Opposition Members that it was in the tradition of the House to quote from written documents for better clarity of answer and more exactness.
I do not mean to be pompous, but it would be to the benefit of all hon. Members if more advantage was gained from Prime Minister's Question Time. We all value that period greatly. I believe that there would be great co-operation from both sides of the House if such an understanding were sought, whether through the usual channels or through the Leader of the House and shadow Leader of the House, both of whom are in the Chamber. I am certain, Mr. Speaker, that if you sought a better observance of order, co-operation would not be lacking.
§ Mr. Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I believe that it will be clear from a tape of today's proceedings that the noise and disturbance began when the Leader of the Opposition was asking questions.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe remarks made by the hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr. Crouch) are very relevant to the broadcasting of our proceedings, which frequently distorts what goes on in this Chamber. I have done a good deal of research into the noise in the Chamber and have come to the conclusion, which may surprise hon. Members, that the behaviour nowadays in the Chamber is appreciably better than it has been for many years. With 650 hon. Members and a relatively small Chamber, there is bound to be a degree of noise. However, that is not to say that we should deny any hon. Member the right of free speech, particularly in this Chamber; I certainly do not wish to encourage or stimulate more noise. Nevertheless, the House will take note of what the hon. Member for Canterbury has said.