§ Mr. Harold DaviesMay I ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker, on a matter of a Statutory Instrument concerning Stoke-on-Trent? It was laid before the House on 23rd July. It comes into operation on 1st August. It has an effect upon an area with a population of 14,000 and a valuation of £320,000, and Article 44(c) mentions an increase of 6d. in the rates.
The House has this Statutory Instrument, affecting area boundaries, presented at the end of the Session when the Members representing the City of Stoke and the contiguous areas may or may not, and probably not, have an opportunity to discuss its implications. Is there no way in which this House can be treated with a little more respect than this?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Speaker of the day has a duty to give hon. Members guidance in private upon procedural questions which arise. The matter which the hon. Member raises is in no way related to any business before the House, and it does not give rise to any point of order. I cannot help him.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesI was raising a point of order, Sir.
§ Mr. K. LewisOn a point of order. If it will help the hon. Member—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member did not hear me say that it did not give rise to a point of order.