§ Question again proposed, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.
§ 6.58 p.m.
§ Mr. Kenneth Robinson (St. Pancras, North)When we ceased our deliberation on the Bill the night before last, I had posed a number of questions to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, one of which gave rise to considerable discussion and, ultimately, to the acceptance by the Leader of the House of a Motion, moved by my right hon. Friend the Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay), "That the Chairman do report Progress and ask leave to sit again". There has been a further discussion concerning that matter in the course of business statements by the Leader of the House and I understand that arrangements are now in hand to put the matter right on Third Reading. No doubt, there will be discussion as to the propriety of this course and the precedents with which, I am sure, the Leader of the House has come armed.
In the meantime, however, there were other points which I had raised and there may well be points which hon. Friends of mine would wish to raise, which require answers from the Financial Secretary to the Treasury. I do not know whether it would be for the convenience of the Committee if the hon. Gentleman delayed his reply to those points until after the resumption of business when private Members' time is over. At least, the points I raised on Monday were matters of substance. They were, I think, within the bounds of order, although, in Committee, on a Bill of this nature, one can never be quite sure what is and what is not within the terms of order. There are, however, those questions and I hope that the Financial Secretary will be in a position to answer them, if not now, at least in about three hours' time.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Sir Edward Boyle)As the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson) said, I may not have time to do so now, but I hope to answer the two or three specific points he raised when we resume our consideration in Committee.
§ It being Seven o'clock, The CHAIRMAN left the Chair, further Proceeding standing postponed pursuant to Order [2nd November.]
§ Mr. SPEAKER resumed the Chair.