§
Ordered,
That, at this day's sitting, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 15 (Prayers against statutory instruments, amp;c. (negative procedure)), the Speaker shall put the Question necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motions in the name of Mr. John Smith relating to Sports Grounds and Sporting Events, namely the Question already proposed from the Chair,
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not later than one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the first such Motion; and the said Motions may be proceeded with after the expiry of the time for opposed business.—[Mr. Arbuthnot.]
§ Mr. Tony Marlow (Northampton, North)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I hope that you will not think me a voyeur, because I am not, but last night I noticed that you were fanning yourself with the Order Paper when you were in the Chair, because obviously it was too hot in the Chamber.
As all right hon. and hon. Members know, the Chamber has the best air conditioning and is the coolest part of the entire Palace of Westminster. If it is hot in here, it is unbearable in the rest of the House. It is hot, sweaty, stuffy, stinky and insufferable. It is a hoary old chestnut that has come back time and again.
You said, Madam Speaker, that you would be inquiring into the events of last night. That is most welcome and worth while. Will you also inquire into the air conditioning, temperature and ventilation in the House? It is well beyond time that something was done about them.
§ Madam SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman might save time in the Chamber if he referred the matter to the appropriate Committee, but I will do it for him. We now come to the second motion—
§ Mr. RiddickOn a point of order, Madam Speaker—just a quick one.
§ Madam SpeakerNo, the hon. Gentleman has had one —wait until next term.