The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7200 p781-786
1 June 2002

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Branch Representatives' meeting summary

Council chamber formality rejected

The meeting rejected a motion calling for a reintroduction of formality within the Council chamber.

BRUCE RHODES (Cheltenham and Gloucester) said that the atmosphere of the Council Chamber created the right ambience for debate. The Secretary and Registrar had written: "As the proceedings have become less formal it has become more difficult for the shorthandwriter to hear all contributions to the discussions clearly." If the shorthandwriter did not know what was going on, what chance did ordinary mortals have?

JOHN BALMFORD (Cheltenham and Gloucester), seconding the motion, said that if members stood when addressing meetings, it was clear who had been called to speak and their voices travelled better.

Opposing the motion, MARTIN KING (Mid-Glamorgan East): said that a modernising Society needed modern dressers with modern thinking and modern thoughts.

ANTHONY COX (Birmingham) said that such formality was not experienced in other high level meetings and was possibly intimidating to new Council members.