South Africa (Members' Visit) (Hansard, 2 February 1984)

§ Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am concerned with the dignity of the House. Four Conservative Members are currently on a trip to South Africa. I understand that that trip is being paid for by the South African authorities. South Africa is the most obnoxious of all dictatorships—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The hon. Gentleman is raising a point of order on a matter which is not for the Chair to decide.

§ Mr. Winnick
rose—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. This is not a valid point of order. Where Members choose to visit is not a matter for the Chair.

§ Mr. Winnick
rose—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I am not prepared to take a point of order on which I cannot rule.

§ Mr. Winnick
rose—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I have said that I am not prepared to take a point of order about trips to South Africa, or anywhere else.

§ Mr. Winnick
My point of order is on different aspect. This free trip—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The hon. Gentleman is an experienced parliamentarian. He knows that he cannot put that matter to the Chair, because the Chair has no authority to rule on it. I am not prepared to take that point of order.

§ Mr. Winnick
On a different point of order, Mr. Speaker.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The hon. Gentleman must not press on that point.