House of Commons Crest (Circulars) (Hansard, 7 May 1986)

§ Mr. Tony Marlow (Northampton, North)
On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. You are probably aware that at 3.30 I raised a point of order on the use of the House of Commons emblem on circulars. Mr. Speaker asked me to get hold of some evidence of this apparent abuse of our logo.
As you probably know, Sir, the instruction sent out by the Serjeant at Arms says that circulars must not be used with the Crowned portcullis or the Royal Arms, whether or not associated with the words 'House of Commons' … in connection with … supporting the return of any person to public office. I have a facsimile of what must be a circular which has been circulating in the constituency of Derbyshire, West. It is signed by the leader of the Liberal party. I understand that that is not a unique signature but a facsimile signature. It has been dispatched to Mr. Stuart and Ann Ashworth.
One might believe that there was some method in the madness here, that it was not a circular and that certain people have been picked out, but I understand that Mr. Stuart Ashworth is the chairman of the local Conservative club.
If that is not persuasive, I have a copy of a further circular which was signed by the leader of the Liberal party in facsimile, addressed to "Dear Resident". At the top it has "From the Right hon. David Steel MP" and there, before your very eyes, Mr. Deputy Speaker, are the words "House of Commons" and the logo.
We have clear instructions from the Serjeant at Arms. It is possible that the right hon. Gentleman has perpetrated this dreadful deed in ignorance of the instructions and it may well be that he would wish to ensure that all the circulars are hastily withdrawn. In view of the great urgency of the matter I would appreciate it if you could give the House the benefit of your advice, and perhaps even the leader of the Liberal party the benefit of a short, sharp instruction.

§ Mr. Ivan Lawrence (Burton)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It is not so much the logo that appalls one, as the text that goes with it. May I draw your attention to the words in this letter?

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Ernest Armstrong)
I was in the House when the hon. Member for Northampton, North (Mr. Marlow) raised the matter with Mr. Speaker and Mr. Speaker asked for the evidence. I shall see that the evidence is transmitted to Mr. Speaker, so that he can give his judgment.

§ Mr. Lawrence
rose—

§ Mr. Anthony Beaumont-Dark (Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker.

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker
Mr. Lawrence.

§ Mr. Lawrence
May I develop my argument so that it can be brought to the attention of Mr. Speaker when he comes to consider the matter rather more fully? The text which is associated with the logo says ridiculous things such as: We have reached a crucial point in our history in Britain. Are we going to pull ourselves"—

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker
Order. It was not the text of the document that was raised with me but the question whether the practices of the House had been transgressed.

§ Mr. Lawrence
The point of raising this further point of order is to protect the reputation of the House. If the text with which this logo is associated is so banal, fatuous and absurd, it will bring the House of Commons into disrepute. Surely it is only right that we should appeal to the protection that you give, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and that Mr. Speaker gives to the House to stop such an absurdity. I hope that the ruling will cause the withdrawal of something which will make it much more difficult for us to face our constituents when we return to our constituencies.

§ Mr. Beaumont-Dark
Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I believe that the leader of the Liberal party is in the House and that he bothered to vote in the Division that has just taken place. If he is so concerned about this matter, why is he not in the Chamber now to defend himself? Are we to wait until you say that the matter has been referred? Is not the need for action now, not tomorrow or the day after? Either justice is done in the House or it is nothing at all. Let us have a ruling now, not tomorrow.

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker
My ruling is that I shall send the document to Mr. Speaker for his judgment straightaway.

§ Mr. Beaumont-Dark
Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We have all in our time enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. Speaker, but we do not need to wait for a dinner. Let us have a ruling now, not after dinner. The urgency is now, not later. Justice is now.

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker
I take note of the hon. Gentleman's comments and they will be conveyed to Mr. Speaker immediately.