§ Second Reading deferred till Friday next.
§ Mr. Hector Hughes (Aberdeen, North)May I ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker, on a point of order? This is the second time the same hon. Member has objected to the Bill. On the last occasion, I asked him after his objection why he objected to the Bill and whether he had read it—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. and learned Member cannot make a speech about it. If he has a point of order, I will hear him, but not otherwise.
§ Mr. HughesI am submitting a point of order and asking for your guidance, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerWhat is the point of order? I must know that, because I cannot allow the hon. and learned Member Ito make a speech about it.
§ Mr. HughesMy point of order is that the hon. Member has twice objected to my Bill without reading it. In my submission, that is an abuse of the process of this House. It is unethical, if a Member wishes to object—
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is not a point of order. The hon. Member is entitled to object. I sympathise with the hon. and learned Gentleman's sentiments. We have all suffered this trouble before.
§ Mr. HughesFurther to that point of order. You say, Mr. Speaker, that the hon. Member is entitled to object, but surely an hon. Member is not entitled to object blindly to a Bill that he has not read.
§ Mr. SpeakerIndeed, he is. He might take the view—I do not know—that he did not think that any legisla- 1934 tion should go through without discussion.
§ Miss Margaret Herbison (Lanarkshire, North)Further to that point of order. We would like your guidance, Mr. Speaker. My hon. and learned Friend the Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) has tried on two Fridays to secure a Second Reading for the Bill. What protection can a Member get who is trying to do something which is considered of great importance if another hon. Member merely walks in and calls "Object"?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. and learned Gentleman is protected by the rules of the House, and so is the hon. Member who objects. I cannot help in the matter. It is part of our procedure.