Page 63 - Member of Parliament Uk-handbook

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CHAMbER & COMMITTEES

Speaking
When speaking in debates you should be present for the Speaker’s Office
x5300
opening and winding-up speeches, and you should remain
Advice on Chamber
in the Chamber for at least the two speeches after you have
business: Table
concluded. If you fail to observe these courtesies, you will be Office x3302/3303
given a lower priority on the next occasion you seek to speak.

You must speak from the place where you are called, which
has to be within the formal limits of the Chamber (so not
from the cross-benches below the bar).

You must resume your seat whenever the Speaker (or a
Deputy) stands up.

You must address the House through the Chair. Accordingly,
other Members should not be addressed as ‘you’, but should
be referred to as ‘the honourable Member for [constituency]’,
‘my honourable friend’ or ‘the honourable Member opposite’.
Privy Counsellors are ‘Right Honourable’. Ministers may be
referred to by office or simply as the Minister.

You may refer to notes but you should not read speeches
or questions; this both tends to stifle debate and makes it
harder for you to respond to interventions.
Intervening

Members may intervene briefly in each other’s speeches, but
only if the Member who has the floor gives way.

Oral questions
Members with oral questions should not leave the Chamber
until supplementary questions on their question have ended.