Points of Order

Angus Brendan MacNeil Excerpts

Tuesday 9th September 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I can only say to the hon. Gentleman, notwithstanding the expression of shock upon his countenance, that absolutely nothing disorderly has taken place here. The hon. Gentleman is an experienced—I will not say “old hand”, but he is an experienced hand. He knows that, periodically, Prime Minister’s questions take place with the principals absent, and that in those circumstances it is quite common for the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) to represent the Government, and very common for the right hon. and learned Member for Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Harman) to represent the Opposition. The hon. Gentleman may disapprove of that state of affairs, but nothing disorderly has happened.

[Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)]

Further to the point of order, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

I do not think that the day would be complete without a point of order from the hon. Gentleman.

[Mr MacNeil]

I am very grateful, Mr Speaker; thank you very much. I wondered whether any of the procedures of the House can prevent Members—in this case, party leaders—from breaking the rules of purdah outside the House.

[Mr Speaker]

No. Nothing.

Well, I think that the House is satisfied for the time being—or, at any rate, that the appetite for points of order has been satisfied.

Bills Presented

Recall of Elected Representatives

Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

Zac Goldsmith, supported by Mr David Davis, Anne Marie Morris, Mr Andrew Mitchell, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Nick de Bois, Mr Frank Field, Kate Hoey, Caroline Lucas, Roger Williams, Jonathan Edwards and Mark Durkan, presented a Bill to make provision about the recall of Members of the House of Commons; to allow for the extension of such provision to other offices; to provide that the recall of elected representatives in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland be a devolved matter; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 6 March 2015, and to be printed.(Bill 88).

Affordable Housing Contributions (Ten Unit Threshold)

Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

Tim Farron, supported by Annette Brooke, Sir Nick Harvey, Jeremy Lefroy and John Woodcock, presented a Bill to give local planning authorities the power to determine the requirements for affordable housing contributions from sites of fewer than 10 units as part of planning obligation agreements under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 6 March 2015, and to be printed.(Bill 90).