§ Mr. Harry Cohen accordingly presented a Bill to create an offence of racial harassment; to place a duty on a landlord to seek eviction of a tenant who is convicted of such offence if it is committed against another tenant of that landlord; to provide for the right of appeal against eviction and against proposals for rehousing; to place a duty on landlords and local authorities to provide information on the rights and duties in relation to racial harassment; to make provision for investigation of complaints and for a code of practice; and to make provision for compensation of victims: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time upon Friday 25 October and to be printed. [Bill 195.]
§ Mr. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North)On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. When you asked for the names of those who supported the Bill introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen), I distinctly heard the hon. Member for Crawley (Mr. 346 Soames) and some of his colleagues near him saying that they were opposed to the Bill. Perhaps they may wish to clarify this, so that their view is clearly on record.
§ Mr. Nicholas Soames (Crawley)Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I did not say "No", nor did I hear any of my hon. Friends say "No".
§ Mr. Martin Flannery (Sheffield, Hillsborough)Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The hon. Member for Crawley (Mr. Soames) did say "No''. Not only that, but he was rude and objectionable the whole time that my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) was speaking. What is more, he conducts himself permanently as a proper lout.
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Harold Walker)Order. We have gone far enough on this. I did not hear anyone challenge the declaration that I made on the vote on the Bill.
§ Mr. CorbynFurther to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The hon. Member for Crawley says that he did not say "No" when Labour Members clearly heard him do so. Is it not incumbent on the hon. Gentleman to come clean about whether he supports or opposes the Bill to outlaw racial harassment?
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerOrder. We are all honourable Members. The hon. Member for Crawley (Mr. Soames) has said that he did not make the remark that was attributed to him, and the House should accept that, in accordance with its usual practice.
§ Mr. Andrew MacKay (Berkshire, East)Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. As the hon. Member sitting next to my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Mr. Soames) for the whole time that the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) was speaking, I can assure the House that my hon. Friend did not shout "No." and did not dissent in any way.
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerI have already told the House that I accept the word of the hon. Member for Crawley, and I am sure that the House does.