i first entered this house in 1974 when selwyn lloyd was the speaker, and i have seen six speakers and eration. they all had very great strengths, and most of them had personal characteristics as well. [laughter] i'd just wanted the time available to draw attention very briefly to three aspects that i think the house should consider in deciding whether they're right honorable gentleman should continue as speaker. first of all, one of the requirements is that the speaker must be absolutely fair between individual members. that goes without saying. it is standard t our procedures. and i do not think th anyone would dispute that the right honorable gentleman has indeed operated in that way. the sec requirement is that while the speaker has great power and great authority,ut when the house is in turmoil or threatening to descend into turmoil, he must use not only his power with flexibility, but on occasion with humor as well in order to reduce the temperature that might otherwise arise. the greatest exponent that -- of that was speaker george thomas, and i remember one glorious evening whe