Quote:
During debates in the House, MPs do not refer to each other by name but by a number of formal titles according to their status.
This polite tone is adopted in an attempt to maintain order and good humour during debates.
Most MPs are referred to as `the Honourable Member for...' followed by the name of their constituency.
If the person being addressed is a member of the same party he or she is referred to as `my Honourable Friend'.
If the MP is a practising lawyer he or she is referred to as `Honourable and Learned'.
If a member is a past or present member of the armed forces they may be addressed as `Honourable and Gallant', although this is very rarely used nowadays.
`Right Honourable' indicates a member of the Privy Council - normally a past or present minister.
Quote:
Smoking is not allowed in the chamber and has been banned since the 17th century. Members may take snuff though and the Doorkeeper keeps a snuff-box for this purpose.
No eating or drinking
Members may not eat or drink in the chamber. One exception to this is the chancellor who may have an alcoholic drink while delivering the Budget statement.
No animals
Animals are not allowed in the Commons, with the exception of guide dogs for the blind as used by Home Secretary David Blunkett.
Dress code
Hats must not be worn unless a point of order is being raised during a division - a fashion that has long died out - and a member may not wear any decorations or military insignia.
Members are also not allowed to have their hands in their pockets, this offence was committed by Andrew Robathan MP (Con) on December 19th 1994. Swords may not be worn in the chamber and each MP has a loop of ribbon in the cloakroom where their weapons may be left. Nowadays the loop is more often used to hold an umbrella.
[I like this one]
No dying! Finally, members must not die on the premises! This is because the Palace of Westminster is a royal palace where commoners may not die. Any deaths on the premises are said to have taken place at St. Thomas' Hospital - the nearest hospital to the palace.