HC Deb 18 April 1989 vol 151 c198 4.15 pm
Mr. Harry Ewing (Falkirk, East)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

I apologise to you, Mr. Speaker, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth (Mr. Hardy) for interrupting his important Standing Order No. 20 application.

My point of order is simple, Mr. Speaker, and no doubt you will find it easy to deal with it. As you know, the rising sun is now playing an important part in British industry. In order not to offend our good friends in Japan and the Japanese Government could you refer to the House authorities the need for some structural changes to be made so that the rising sun is never again shut out of the Chamber by closing the blinds? I believe that that would be an appropriate step to take.

Mr. Speaker

If I interpret the rumours aright, when we have television—if we have television—the blinds will be permanently drawn. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I must not pre-empt what may be done.