PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES - United Kingdom Parliament

THE
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
OFFICIAL REPORT
IN THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FIFTY-FIFTH PARLIAMENT OF THE
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
[WHICH OPENED 18 MAY 2010]
SIXTY-FIRST YEAR OF THE REIGN OF
HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II
SIXTH SERIES VOLUME 545
FIRST VOLUME OF SESSION 2012-2013
House of Commons
Wednesday 9 May 2012
The House met at twenty-five minutes past
Eleven o’clock
PRAYERS
[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]
MESSAGE TO ATTEND HER MAJESTY
Message to attend Her Majesty delivered by the Gentleman
Usher of the Black Rod.
The Speaker, with the House, went up to attend Her
Majesty; on their return, the Speaker suspended the sitting.
Speaker’s Statement
2.30 pm
Mr Speaker: The House has agreed that the Speaker
should make a statement at the beginning of each
Session about the duties and responsibilities of hon.
Members. May I begin by reminding Members of the
House’s code of conduct, which we recently agreed to in
a revised form? All Members are under a duty to
observe it in letter and in spirit. Members are answerable
for their conduct in this place, not just to the House but
to the public.
Our ancient privileges allow us to conduct our debate
without fear of outside interference. Parliamentary privilege
underpins proper democratic debate and scrutiny. It
will be under renewed scrutiny over the next few months,
with the Government’s consultation on the subject. In
particular, we enjoy freedom of speech in Committee
proceedings and in debate. Freedom of speech in debate
is at the very heart of what we do here for our constituents,
and it allows us to conduct our business without fear of
outside interference. But it is a freedom that we need to
exercise responsibly in the public interest and taking
into account the interests of others outside this House.
It is also important that our constituents feel free to
come to us no matter what the circumstances, and that
they suffer no disadvantage as a result. Each hon.
Member is here to represent the views of his or her
constituents and to participate in the process of
parliamentary democracy. We should ensure that every
Member is heard courteously, regardless of the views
that he or she is expressing. I and my Deputies seek to
ensure that as many Members as possible can participate
in our proceedings. That ambition will be greatly aided
by brevity in questions, speeches and interventions by
all hon. Members.
Every member of the public has a right to expect that
his or her Member of Parliament will behave with
civility, in the best traditions of fairness, with the highest
level of probity and with integrity. We are also under an
obligation to try to explain to our constituents how
Parliament works. In this mission we are ably assisted
by the staff of the House. House staff, who are vital in
supporting the work of this House and who do so with
dedication and courtesy, are likewise entitled to be
treated with dignity, courtesy and respect.
Finally, I should like also to remind all hon. Members
that the security of this building and those who work
and visit here depends upon all of us. Please be vigilant
and tell the Serjeant at Arms about any concerns you
have on the subject. Wear your photo identity pass
while you are on the parliamentary estate—this is
particularly important over the next 24 hours, as there
will be a number of police officers on duty, covering for
absent security officers, who cannot be expected to
recognise Members. Remember that you are responsible
for the behaviour of your visitors and for ensuring that
they are escorted in non-public areas of the estate.
Before moving to the first business of the new Session,
I would like to express my very best wishes to all hon.
Members and staff for the 2012-13 Session of Parliament.
OUTLAWRIES BILL
A Bill for the more effectual preventing Clandestine
Outlawries was read the First time, and ordered to be read
a Second time.