§ Q6. Mr. D. Footasked the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government will make proposals to the House to give effect this year to the suggestion made by the Select Committee on Procedure in 1959 that the whole or part of the Finance Bill should be committed to a Standing Committee.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I do not think the House could reach agreement on any change in procedure in time to bring it into effect this year.
§ Mr. FootDoes not the right hon. Gentleman recollect that last year this House spent no fewer than twelve days on the Committee and Report stages of the Finance Bill considering details of financial legislation which were of great technicality and extreme dullness? Would not the House be better employed, at any rate on some of these days, in discussing matters of great public interest for which at present no time can be found?
§ The Prime MinisterIt would be a very big change for the Finance Bill not to be taken on the Floor of the House. This is a matter which can be done only with agreement, and I do not think that that exists. However, if it were raised by right hon. or hon. Members it might perhaps be referred to the Committee on Procedure, but I do not think that it can be dismissed as a small change in our affairs.