HC Deb 04 July 1961 vol 643 c1339
Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I beg to move, in page 34, line 43, to leave out "twenty-eight" and to insert "twenty-one".

Mr. Speaker

I think that it would be convenient, indeed necessary, for the House to discuss with this Amendment the next three Amendments in line 43, to leave out "twenty-eight" and to insert "fourteen"; in line 44, to leave out "twenty-eight" and to insert "twenty-one", and in line 44, to leave out "twenty-eight" and to insert "fourteen".

Mr. Lloyd

The suggestion is that the period should be 21 days rather than 28 days within which the House has to approve the use of the regulators. I think that in this matter we must bear in mind not only the convenience of the Government, but also the convenience of the Opposition. When one considers that this might be happening in the Recess, when hon. Members might be dispersed, I think that it is reasonable and would be convenient to both Government and Opposition to make the time 21 days.

7.45 p.m.

Mr. Mitchison

The history of this matter is that the Bill provided for 28 days during which one of the regulators could be in force before being confirmed by Parliament. The Opposition tabled an Amendment in Committee suggesting seven days, which was perhaps a bit of a bargaining Amendment. We have now tabled two Amendments, which you have mentioned, Mr. Speaker, suggesting 14 days and the Chancellor has conceded 21 days. We think that on the whole this somewhat "higgling market" procedure is now concluded and that the right hon. and learned Gentleman's Amendments, for the reasons given, meet the convenience of all concerned.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 34, line 44, leave out "twenty-eight" and insert "twenty-one".—[Mr. Selwyn Lloyd.]