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Speaker's statement

May I congratulate all Members on their success in being elected to this, the 54th Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. May I particularly congratulate those who have been elected to the House for the first time. The House always has sympathy with former Members who have lost out in the electoral contest, but there is no doubt that the House also benefits from the regular infusion of fresh blood. I am sure that that will be true on this occasion. Great efforts have been made by the authorities of the House to ensure that Members, particularly new Members, have access to all information and briefing that they are likely to need about the House's services and facilities, its rules and procedures, and its conventions. You probably feel that you have more information than you can digest, but I urge you to make the effort and to attend as many briefing sessions as possible. Longer-serving Members are a valuable source of guidance and help. [Hon. Members: "Hear, hear."] There is more. But—dare I say it?—their advice is not invariably up to date and reliable. There is no substitute for reading the documentation for yourself and seeking authoritative advice if you are in any doubt. Certainly, it will be no excuse for Members who break one of the House's rules to claim that they were not aware of it—at least, not after the first few weeks. I draw your attention in particular to the House's code of conduct, which we should all observe in letter and in spirit, and to the rules that regulate the proper use of House facilities and allowances, which are also covered by the code. As the Freedom of Information Act has brought home to us, Members are answerable not just to the House but to the public for their conduct in this place. The same applies to behaviour in this Chamber. This House is rightly the place for strong and passionate argument and disagreement, but nothing does more to turn the public off our proceedings than debates that regularly descend into petty point scoring, spite and personalities. I hope that this Parliament will be characterised by robust debate, tempered with mutual respect. Security is likely to be a continuing concern during this Parliament. Our recently appointed security co-ordinator is working, with the Serjeant at Arms and Black Rod, on a thorough review of our security precautions. I look to all Members to co-operate fully with any new measures that may need to be introduced. I also expect all Members to observe current security requirements, including the requirement to wear your security pass when moving around within the parliamentary estate. Before the Clerk gives the customary First Reading to the Outlawries Bill, I shall put to the House the Sessional Order to the Metropolitan police. Before the Dissolution, legislation was enacted on the control of demonstrations and other activities in the environs of Parliament, including Parliament square, but I understand that this will not be brought into effect until later this year. I must express my personal hope that the Government will indeed put the new legislation into effect as soon as possible. That will make it unnecessary for the House to pass the Sessional Order again in future.