§ Mr. William Cash accordingly presented a Bill to provide for the holding of a referendum on the need for changes to the treaty on European Union affecting the United Kingdom's continuing membership of the Union and its participation in European monetary union and a single currency; to provide for the action to be taken consequent on the results of the referendum; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time upon Friday 12 July and to be printed. [Bill 147.]
§ Mr. Robert G. Hughes (Harrow, West)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. As I understand it, it is an important tradition of the House, which you have upheld on many occasions, that if a Member opposes a motion or a Bill, he or she is obliged to vote against it. My understanding is that the solitary Member who voted against the Referendum Bill was not the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) who opposed it. There were several shouts of "No". Surely—if they had any courtesy—the hon. Members involved should apologise to the House.
§ Madam SpeakerNo, that is not quite correct. An hon. Member who opposes a Bill need only raise his voice in opposition and does not have to go through the No Lobby. It is a matter of raising one's voice.
§ Mr. Robert Banks (Harrogate)On a point of order, Madam Speaker.
§ Madam SpeakerI hope that it is not another bogus point of order.
§ Mr. BanksNo, Madam Speaker. Although I have the same name as the hon. Member for Newham, North-West, who opposed the Bill, I was the one who voted against it.
§ Madam SpeakerHow very enlightening. I would like more points of order like that. Are there any more? No, so we shall move on.