§ Mr. SpeakerI have a short announcement to make to the House:
There is no rule or custom which restrains the presentation of two or more bills relating to the same subject and containing similar provisions. But if a decision of the House has already been taken on one such bill, for example, if the bill has been given…a second reading, the other is not proceeded with if it contains substantially the same provisions…That can be found in Erskine May, page 499, paragraph 5.This rule applies to the National Insurance (Amendment) Bill which is on the Order Paper today for Second Reading. The subject matter of every provision in this Bill is dealt with in the National Insurance Bill which was read a Second time on 26th April, and is to be taken in Committee on Wednesday next. I therefore rule that this Bill cannot be proceeded with today, and I make this known to the House at the beginning of today's proceedings for the convenience of hon. Members.