§ Madam SpeakerI understand that, while most of us earlier today obeyed the royal command to attend in the House of Lords, the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) took advantage of my absence to occupy the Chair—a position to which he is not entitled. I believe, although I was not, of course, able to witness it myself, that for a short time, there was a travesty of the proceedings of this House.
I take the most serious view of this type of horseplay. It is not for the hon. Member for Bolsover to decide to take the Chair, even in a piece of temporary buffoonery, and it is not for other hon. Members of his persuasion to become his accomplices by supporting him in that way. I am sure that right hon. and hon. Members on both sides of the House will regard this sort of behaviour with distaste and contempt, as I do.
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)While most hon. Members and you, Madam Speaker, went to witness the pomp and circumstance in the House of Lords, some of us—incidentally, none of the others were named—saw the irony in having a little exercise, in which we took part, in abolishing the House of Lords and the monarchy. Unfortunately, there was a split vote.
You will be pleased to know, Madam Speaker, that on many mornings Tory Members occupy that Chair and demonstrate on many occasions to their crowds of visitors what I did this morning, so it is not unusual. You will be pleased to know that, according to Standing Orders, there must be 40 hon. Members to carry a motion. I did not get the requisite number, including the Tellers.
§ Madam SpeakerI think that we have heard and seen enough of the hon. Member for Bolsover for one day.