§ (Clauses 14, 21, 22, 23, 24, 31, 77 and Schedule 14)
§ Considered in Committee [Progress 7 May.]
§ [MISS BETTY BOOTHROYD in the Chair]
5.20 pm§ Sir William Clark (Croydon, South)On a point of order, Miss Boothroyd. I want to raise a matter that I believe affects the constitutional behaviour of the House. It is obvious from the events surrounding the presentation just now of a private Member's Bill that anything that occurs outside this Chamber is not within the purview of the Chair. We have seen today a violation of the procedure of the House, whereby an hon. Member stood outside either the Ayes or the Noes Lobby, exhorting right hon. and hon. Members to vote this way or that way in a very offensive manner. Something should be done to prevent right hon. and hon. Members from being subjected to that kind of behaviour by someone who does not really believe in democracy.
§ The Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means (Miss Betty Boothroyd)Order. I will take no further points of order on that matter. A number were raised earlier. Mr. Speaker will be made fully aware of what took place, and if he has anything to report to the House, he will do so tomorrow.