HC Deb 02 July 1965 vol 715 cc1072-3

Amendment made: In page 1, line 6, after "ships", insert "or hovercraft".—[Commander Courtney.]

4.2 p.m.

Commander Anthony Courtney (Harrow, East)

I beg to move, in page 2, line 18, after "tests", to insert: or knowingly supplies to such a ship or harbour authority chain which is not so tested and marked". This is a strange anomaly which the Bill seeks—

Mr. William Hamilton (Fife, West)

On a point of order. Could you explain what is now going on Mr. Speaker? Some of us are puzzled, as it is now after four o'clock.

Mr. Speaker

If there be objection, that is the end of the matter, but for the moment we are dealing with unopposed business after four o'clock. I shall wait to see what happens.

Mr. Leslie Hale (Oldham, West)

On a point of order. I have attended here almost every Friday for months. I do not want to oppose anyone's Bill and I do not want to delay anyone's Bill, but is this procedure to apply to my Bill, which is No. 34 on the list? What is the position? It is now after four o'clock.

I do not want to do the hon. and gallant Member for Harrow, East (Commander Courtney) any harm, but I have come here Friday after Friday to move the Second Reading of a Bill which deals with real hardship in my constituency, with byssinosis. Objection has been taken every time and I expect another objection today. Why should anchors and chains be more human and more important than the pensions of disabled soldiers and help for the blind and people suffering from disease?

Mr. Speaker

My sympathy has often been with hon. Members, including the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Hale), when their business has been objected to. It used to happen to me in the past. If the hon. Gentleman wants to know what is happening now, I refer him to page 317 of Erskine May. The point is that this business has not yet been opposed and we are taking it because it is unopposed.

Commander Courtney

On a point of order. I was of the opinion that I was opposing certain Clauses of the Bill by proposing Amendments to them. Am I not therefore right to suggest that it is opposed business?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is in order at the moment. What length of life he will have, I do not know.

The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. Roy Mason)

On a point of order. Do I understand that you are allowing this debate to continue because you believe it to be unopposed business, Mr. Speaker? As a matter of fact, a number of these Amendments are opposed, and this in particular.

Mr. Speaker

That puts an end to the matter. I am obliged.

Mr. Eric Lubbock (Orpington)

On a point of order. When four o'clock struck, I did not hear anybody object to the Guardianship of Infants Bill, which is the Bill of the hon. Lady the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dame Joan Vickers).

Mr. Speaker

In fact, it was opposed and it was also effectively talked out. I assure hon. Members that there is no complication. It is somewhat unusual to have the consideration stage run for any period unopposed, but it has now been opposed. This is the end of the consideration of the Anchors and Chain Cables Bill.

Debate to be resumed? No instruction.