HC Deb 20 December 1984 vol 70 c551 3.32 pm
Mr. Tony Banks (Newham, North-West)

May I ask for your advice, Mr. Speaker? This morning at noon, three hon. Members of this House presented a petition signed by 300,000 members of the public against animal experiments outside the Home Office—

Hon. Members

"Inside."

Mr. Speaker

Order. Does this arise out of questions?

Mr. Banks

No, not out of questions but on a separate point of order.

Mr. Speaker

As the hon. Member has started I shall allow him to continue.

Mr. Banks

I am seeking your advice because after the petition was presented, the three Members of Parliament were subjected to what can only be described as offensive abuse from the Metropolitan police. We were trying to carry out our duties as hon. Members of this House and I would ask you to rule, Mr. Speaker, whether interference by the Metropolitan police in charging two hon. Members of this House and my personal assistant with obstruction was in fact—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I cannot possibly rule on a matter which is sub judice.