§ Mr. SpeakerIn 1988 we will be celebrating the tercentenary of the "Glorious— or bloodless— revolution", and the Bill of Rights. Those were the foundations from which evolved, peacefully, the system of parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch which we enjoy today, and which has inspired the constitutions of many other countries of the world.
Parliament itself will wish to take a lead with an appropriate celebration to mark that anniversary. The Lord Chancellor and I are therefore appointing today a small Committee of Members of both Houses to advise us on the form of those celebrations, and to oversee the arrangements to be made.
I am also happy to say that the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Leaders of other parties in this House have indicated their full support for these proposals and have agreed to become patrons of the project.
The following Members have kindly agreed to serve on the advisory committee:
The right hon. Member for Cambridgeshire, South-East (Mr. Pym), as chairman, the right hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Foot), the right hon. Member for Glasgow, Hillhead (Mr. Jenkins), the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow), the hon. Member for Monmouth (Sir J. Stradling Thomas), the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) and the hon. Member for Staffordshire, South (Mr. Cormack).
I have asked Mr. Michael Ryle, Clerk of the Journals, to serve as the Commons secretary of the Committee.
§ Mr. John Stokes (Halesowen and Stourbridge)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. As a lover of our monarchy, our Parliament and our institutions, I was most interested to hear about the proposal for 1688 to be remembered and for the setting up of the Committee. Will you please make sure, when the Committee deliberates, that the Whig dogs do not get the best of it?
§ Mr. SpeakerI do not think that that will be a matter for me. It will be a matter for the Committee.
§ Mr. Eric Deakins (Walthamstow)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I draw your attention and that of the House to the fact that the next Parliament to be elected, which will be no later than the same year, 1988, will be the 50th Parliament of the United Kingdom and might also merit an appropriate commemoration?
§ Mr. SpeakerIt will depend on when those celebrations will take place. Perhaps we will be able to commemorate both events.
§ Mr. Edward Leigh (Gainsborough and Horncastle)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Does it arise from questions?
§ Mr. LeighI have given you notice of my point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is this an appropriate time to ask for your ruling?
§ Mr. SpeakerI shall take points of order after hearing applications under Standing Order No. 10.