HC Deb 09 June 1992 vol 209 cc144-6
Madam Speaker

Before we move on to public business, I must hear a point of order from Mrs. Jackson.

Mrs. Helen Jackson (Sheffield, Hillsborough)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I should be grateful if you would advise the House whether it is in order for the Member of Parliament of a neighbouring constituency—Sheffield, Hallam in this case—to, in the words of my constituents, be very involved and helpful in advising them how to go about presenting a petition to the Prime Minister on Thursday without any reference to me as constituency Member of Parliament. He has done so to the extent that my constituents now understand that the only way to obtain a favourable decision from the Secretary of State for Education on an application for grant-maintained status or against the closure of a school is to have the petition presented by a Conservative Member.

Madam Speaker

The hon. Lady— [Interruption.] J Order. I have a point of order to answer, and that I am going to do. The hon. Lady knows that that it is not a question of order, but she also knows that it is a matter of the convention of the House. I say clearly that if, for any reason, a Member has cause to take up a matter that affects another Member's constituency, it is the established practice in the House to inform that Member.

While I am on my feet, may I say this in general for the benefit of Members of long-standing and, in particular, for the benefit of new Members? In the heated atmosphere of this place, the common courtesies are far too often neglected. [Interruption.] Order; I am speaking. It is essential that the established courtesies be maintained for the sake of good working relationships in this Chamber and in the House in general. I hope that that is taken to heart by every Member, whether new or of long-standing. I shall now move on to public business.

Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman (Lancaster)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. This is an entirely different and uncontentious point of order. Today and yesterday prayers began at 2.29 pm. This may seem a small point. but sometimes those of us who are regular attenders at prayers time it to the last minute and we would have been excluded today and yesterday, and several times last week. Could the matter be looked into?

Madam Speaker

If the hon. Lady is saying that occasionally I stride out too rapidly in the Speaker's procession, I will take it into consideration.

Mr. D. N. Campbell-Savours (Workington)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. In Question Time you will have heard the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Mr. Evans) refer to unemployed people as "layabouts". You know that many millions of people in this country are unemployed and have no alternative but to watch television in the afternoon. They will have seen him make that statement and will be deeply distressed. Will you from the Chair refute that suggestion and make it clear that that is not the view of the majority of Members?

Madam Speaker

That sounds like an extension of Question Time, and I shall certainly not allow the Chair to get involved in that. All Members are responsible for the statements that they make, and I hope that in making them they will be guarded and courteous to each other and to people outside the House.

Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)

On a point of order—

Mr. Paul Flynn (Newport, West)

rose—

Madam Speaker

Order. Two hon. Members are on their feet at the same time. I call Mr. Winnick.

Mr. Winnick

You spoke about common courtesy, Madam Speaker. The House has a responsibility for all citizens. People who find themselves unemployed and who are victims of Government policy—

Madam Speaker

Order. Please come to the point for me.

Mr. Winnick

If a section of the community has been attacked, and if a slur has been cast because an hon. Member has described them as "layabouts", can you, Madam Speaker, advise me on how we can defend people who are not in a position to defend themselves?

Madam Speaker

I have already attempted to deal with that. By no means is the Chair getting involved.

Mr. Barry Field (Isle of Wight)

Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker. May I thank you for being clear about the common courtesies of the House and may I draw to your attention the fact that, during the previous Parliament, my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Patnick) was mentioned twice by Opposition Members who did not acknowledge the normal courtesies of the House by notifying him that his name was to be mentioned in the Chamber? Could you reiterate that the normal courtesy is for hon. Members to notify one another when they intend to visit and to speak in their constituencies?

Madam Speaker

The hon. Gentleman is correct. If a Member or his constituency is named in the House, he should he notified in advance. Of course it is also courteous to tell other Members when an official visit is to be made to their constituency.

Mr. Tony Banks (Newham, North-West)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker

Is it an extension of the last point of order?

Mr. Banks

No.

Madam Speaker

In that case, I will hear it.

Mr. Banks

Would you confirm that, under the Mental Health Acts, you have the power to section? Perhaps you would contemplate using that power.

Madam Speaker

On that note, it is time for us to proceed with the business of the House.