Speaker’s Statements — Sound System

I advise members that the new speaker system is now in operation.

💬 Gerry Brownlee: Well, we still can’t hear you!

I can assure the member that the microphones are working—and I will make sure that we look at the other part of it, too. The microphones can now be moved just slightly—and I emphasise ever so slightly—towards the person speaking. Mr Ward should note that he could move his microphone forwards. I ask members to treat them carefully, because they are expensive.

Before we move to the Prime Minister’s statement, I point out that, as members will know, the statement had to be issued to other parties, and therefore the Prime Minister has to read from prepared text. I expect there to be no interjections. In addition, I expect the speeches of party leaders to be heard in silence, out of respect. Of course, if a member’s own colleagues want to make comment, then obviously I am not going to stop that. But as far as interjections are concerned, while speeches are being heard—

💬 Hon Richard Prebble: I’m a colleague and friend of the Prime Minister! Surely I can.

Mr Prebble is chancing his arm on the first day, as he usually does, but I am going to ignore it. I just want to say that that is the way this debate will proceed.