Points of Order (Hansard, 18 July 1988)

§ Mr. Edward Leigh (Gainsborough and Horncastle)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. "Erskine May" states that, whenever it seems to you a suitable occasion, you should communicate to the House letters and documents addressed to you as Speaker relating to the rights and privileges of the House or of its Members, such as communications announcing the arrest or imprisonment of a Member. Will you please make an announcement soon? At least half the House wants to know about the return of the bomber-jacketed ambassador for Britain, although sadly that half of the House does not include the Labour party.

§ Mr. Speaker
I have received no notification about that, and it is not a matter for me.

§ Mr. Eric S. Heffer (Liverpool, Walton)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. One of the speakers at yesterday's great demonstration in Hyde park was the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. On behalf of the Commonwealth, he made a very clear statement that the Commonwealth and all its members were in favour of the release of Nelson Mandela. On that basis, why cannot we have a debate on the subject in the House of Commons? [Interruption.] With respect, Mr. Speaker, is it not time that the yobbos on the Conservative Benches were kept in order?
In view of the statements made by Archbishop Tutu, Bishop Huddlestone—who has done more than anyone for peace, friendship and reconciliation—and the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, is it not possible to have a debate today? This is a very important day. Nelson Mandela is 70 years of age today and has spent 25 years in prison—[Interruption.] Conservative Members may think that this is a joke, but we do not.

Several Hon. Members
rose—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I am sure that the whole House treats this matter with great concern. [Interruption.] I do anyway. The hon. Gentleman knows that I have difficult decisions to take on Standing Order No. 20 applications about whether they meet the criteria. I cannot give the hon. Gentleman any reasons for my decision.

§ Mr. Eric Forth (Mid-Worcestershire)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

§ Mr. Speaker
I hope that it is not on the matter that I have already dealt with.

§ Mr. Forth
You, Mr. Speaker, are the custodian of this House and of its Members, and I know that from time to time you have contact with the Speakers of other Parliaments, particularly those in the Commonwealth. Have you made it your business to he in touch with the Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe over recent distressing incidents involving a Member of the House?

§ Mr. Speaker
I have not been in touch with that Speaker, but I hope to have the pleasure of meeting him this week during the Commonwealth Speakers' conference.

§ Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You said that you would take very seriously indeed the issue of Nelson Mandela being kept in prison. As you know, it is 26 years since he went to prison, and today he celebrates his 70th birthday. We are a founder member of the Commonwealth, and every Commonwealth Parliament has passed motions deploring the continued detention of Nelson Mandela. I should like to ask for your advice on two matters.
First, as Speaker of the House, would you be willing to send a message to Nelson Mandela on his 70th birtday? That would be very much in line with the Government's view because they have said that they are against his being kept in prison. If they are against his being kept in prison, why cannot you, on our behalf, as Speaker of the British House of Commons, and because Britain is a member of the Commonwealth, send a message? Secondly, would you be willing to accept a manuscript motion asking you to do what I have just suggested?

§ Mr. Speaker
I would need to have the authority of the House to do that.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton (Tatton)
On page 252 of "Erskine May", footnote 20 says: The Speaker's decision on the identity of the Leader of the Opposition is final". You will appreciate, Mr. Speaker, that cases of doubt occasionally arise, especially abroad where the "Yesterday in Parliament" programme about proceedings in Parliament is not broadcast. Do you not think that it would be to the benefit of the House if on future tours by Leaders of the Opposition you were to accompany the right hon. Gentleman or were to issue him with a certificate saying, "Believe it or not, this person is actually the Leader of the Opposition"?

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I hope that we will not reduce our deliberations in this place to a farce.