Mr Lange withdraws remark

Press, 7 July 1977, Page 5

Mr Lange withdraws remark

PA Wellington The new Labour member of Parliament for Mangere, Mr D. R. Lange, has been found not to have breached a Parliamentary Standing Order which outlaws unbecoming references to Parliament. The suggestion that Mr Lange had breached Standing Order 181 by saying in an address to Canterbury University students, “The ship of State is being steered from the gutter,” was made on Friday by the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Taiboys). Mr Lange's remark was contained in a newspaper report last week. Mr Lange said that he certainly had not intended to use the word "gutter,” but he accepted that the ! report was correct. “If I transgressed by going beyond what was acceptable,, and giving offence to honourable members, then I apolo-| gise for that,” Mr Lange said. The Speaker (Sir Roy Jack)! ruled that Mr Lange had not! transgressed because the Standing Order related solely i to the conduct of debate in-1 side the House. Commenting that he found the term "gutter” highly objectionable, Sir Roy said: “As the statement was made outside the House, the rule here ; relating to conduct inside the the House does not apply."