§ Mr. Tony Marlow (Northampton, North)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. During Prime Minister's Question Time I made an intervention in the heat of the moment which might have appeared to cast some aspersion on the Chair and yourself. If that is the case, I totally and unreservedly withdraw it. I would not wish to raise a point of order today for that reason. However, as you so rightly said, if points of order are to be raised, they should be raised at the first possible opportunity.
Hansard, page 432—[HON. MEMBERS: "Erskine May?"] —"Erskine May"; I thank the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner).
Page 432 of "Erskine May" lists expressions which are unparliamentary. That includes the accusation of right hon. and hon. Members of "misrepresentation". The Leader of the Opposition accused the Prime Minister of mendacity in various particulars. If one looks—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. He did not do that. I made that plain at the time. It was a general accusation which was not made personally. [Interruption.] I suspect that I know "Erskine May" rather better than the hon. Member for Northampton, North (Mr. Marlow). He knows that personal accusations against hon. Members are unparliamentary and are not allowed. In the cut and thrust of debate, general accusations are frequently made.
§ Mr. MarlowFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Can I ask you to look at the written text when it appears in the Official Report tomorrow and if you wish to reflect on your judgment, perhaps you would be kind enough to come back tomorrow?
§ Mr. Richard Holt (Langbaurgh)On a different point of order, Mr. Speaker. About nine months ago, you made a statement following four questions having been asked by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition during Prime Minister's Question Time. There may not be many Labour Back Benchers sitting behind the right hon. Gentleman who wish to cross swords with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, but many Conservative Members wish to participate in Prime Minister's Question Time. Nearly 10 minutes passed today before any Back-Bench Member had the opportunity to catch your eye, Mr. Speaker. Will you say that you will not allow the Leader of the Opposition so much time during future Prime Minister's Question Times?
§ Mr. SpeakerThis occurs from time to time. It occurred when the hon. Gentleman's party was in opposition. I cannot do what he asks.
§ Mr. William Cash (Stafford)I raise a point of order, Mr. Speaker, which you said, when the matter arose, could be dealt with a little later.
§ Mr. SpeakerI said that I had dealt with the matter at the time. If the hon. Gentleman wishes to raise it again, I will hear him.
§ Mr. CashI understood the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) to say that he did not wish to get into trouble with you, Mr. Speaker. That was not 901 necessarily a withdrawal of the allegation in itself. It is a matter on which we should have at least some further consideration.
§ Mr. SpeakerI shall read Hansard tomorrow, but I heard what the hon. Gentleman said.