– in the House of Commons am 4:23 pm ar 12 Mai 1983.
Mr Tam Dalyell
, West Lothian
4:23,
12 Mai 1983
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. On Monday, the Leader of the House said in reply to a question:
If he"—
meaning myself—
has any reason to believe that Mr. Paul Foot has breached privilege, it is open to him to come to the House and act accordingly."— [Official Report, 9 May 1983; Vol. 42, c. 628.]
It may not be appropriate to raise this matter following the praises rightly given to you, Mr. Speaker, but it is a matter of considerable importance to the House in two respects. First, there is unfinished business before the Privileges Committee, which is examining a case that created a great deal of discussion—
Mr George Thomas
, Gorllewin Caerdydd
Order. I am sorry to interrupt the hon. Gentleman, but it is out of order to refer to the business before the Privileges Committee. It is still dealing with the matter and we cannot discuss it here until we have had its report. There is no point of order on which I can help the hon. Gentleman.
Mr Tam Dalyell
, West Lothian
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps you will clarify what happens at the end of Parliament. May I formally refer the article by Mr. Foot, in the current issue of New Statesman, to the Privileges Committee for its consideration and a ruling tomorrow?
Mr George Thomas
, Gorllewin Caerdydd
I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman must make a written application if he wishes to refer a matter to the Privileges Committee. I should then consider it and write to him with my decision. However, as he knows, it is rather late in the life of this Parliament.
Privileges applications are no longer made on the Floor of the House. They are made in writing to Mr. Speaker, who has time to consider them and can seek advice if he needs it.
Mr Tam Dalyell
, West Lothian
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. In the circumstances of the article, which is a major scrutiny of the behaviour of the Prime Minister in relation to the sinking of the Belgrano—
Mr George Thomas
, Gorllewin Caerdydd
Order. With every respect to the hon. Gentleman, we cannot discuss that now. There is nothing that I can do about it. I am afraid that he will have to wait.
It would be out of order for me to wish all hon. Members a safe return because I could not be impartial. However, I must tell the hon. Gentleman that he cannot resume his point of order now. I am glad that he has raised the last point of order with which I must deal during my Speakership. But, quite honestly, I cannot help him. If, within our rules, it were possible for me to send his application to any Committee, I would do so. I cannot do anything more.
Mr Tam Dalyell
, West Lothian
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. The issue at stake is the veracity of the Prime Minister—
Mr George Thomas
, Gorllewin Caerdydd
Order. The hon. Gentleman must resume his seat. He cannot persist with that point.
Mr George Thomas
, Gorllewin Caerdydd
The Clerk will now proceed to read the Orders of the Day—
Mr George Thomas
, Gorllewin Caerdydd
Order. We have finished with the point raised by the hon. Gentleman and I am now moving to the Orders of the Day.
The Speaker is an MP who has been elected to act as Chairman during debates in the House of Commons. He or she is responsible for ensuring that the rules laid down by the House for the carrying out of its business are observed. It is the Speaker who calls MPs to speak, and maintains order in the House. He or she acts as the House's representative in its relations with outside bodies and the other elements of Parliament such as the Lords and the Monarch. The Speaker is also responsible for protecting the interests of minorities in the House. He or she must ensure that the holders of an opinion, however unpopular, are allowed to put across their view without undue obstruction. It is also the Speaker who reprimands, on behalf of the House, an MP brought to the Bar of the House. In the case of disobedience the Speaker can 'name' an MP which results in their suspension from the House for a period. The Speaker must be impartial in all matters. He or she is elected by MPs in the House of Commons but then ceases to be involved in party politics. All sides in the House rely on the Speaker's disinterest. Even after retirement a former Speaker will not take part in political issues. Taking on the office means losing close contact with old colleagues and keeping apart from all groups and interests, even avoiding using the House of Commons dining rooms or bars. The Speaker continues as a Member of Parliament dealing with constituent's letters and problems. By tradition other candidates from the major parties do not contest the Speaker's seat at a General Election. The Speakership dates back to 1377 when Sir Thomas Hungerford was appointed to the role. The title Speaker comes from the fact that the Speaker was the official spokesman of the House of Commons to the Monarch. In the early years of the office, several Speakers suffered violent deaths when they presented unwelcome news to the King. Further information can be obtained from factsheet M2 on the UK Parliament website.
