§ Mr. Harry Cohen, supported by Ms. Jo Richardson, Mrs. Maria Fyfe, Ms. Joan Ruddock, Ms. Clare Short, Mrs. Audrey Wise, Mrs. Alice Mahon, Ms. Mildred Gordon, Mr. Tony Banks, Mr. Tony Benn, Mr. Paul Boateng and Mr. Jeremy Corbyn presented a Bill to make rape in marriage a criminal offence in England and Wales. And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 30 March and to be printed. [Bill 78.]
§ Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am taking a certain interest in the matter because next Wednesday I have a ten-minue Bill to extend the powers of the Security Commission to cases such as that of Colin Wallace. Is it possible for a Conservative Member to oppose the extension of the Security Commission and then not to pursue that by vote? Is that a new possibility?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe rules are well defined on this matter. Any hon. Member who seeks to oppose a Bill must carry his objection to the point of saying no. It is not absolutely essential to call a Division on the matter or to put in Tellers, although that is generally done. But it certainly is not in order in effect to steal a speech and then get away with it.
§ Mr. Tony Banks (Newham, North-West)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Would you agree that what we have just witnessed was as close to a flagrant abuse of the procedures of the House as one could get? Indeed, the hon. Member for Northampton, North (Mr. Marlow) had to be induced to say no. He then said no in a quiet tone, and he did not afterwards pursue the matter. I suggest, with respect, Mr. Speaker, that what he did deserves at least a reprimand from you.
§ Mr. SpeakerI took the charitable view—that it was ignorance.
§ Mr. MarlowOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I did not appreciate that it was required of me afterwards to say no. When you made the position plain to me, I was more than happy to do so.
§ Mr. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North)Further to the point of order, Mr. Speaker. You made it clear that you wanted the hon. Member for Northampton, North (Mr. Marlow) to carry through his opposition. It was not clear to many of my hon. Friends seated towards the back of the Opposition Back Benches that he had said anything, your having requested him to say no. I should have thought that he deserved some reprimand for his behaviour.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe whole House just heard the hon. Member for Northampton, North (Mr. Marlow) say that he did not appreciate what the rules were.