§ 11.10 p.m.
§ Mr. SpeakerI would be grateful if the House will allow me to correct a mistake which I made earlier today on the Public Libraries and Museums Bill and to offer my apologies for what I did and, in particular, to apologise to the Minister of State for Education and Science, who confessed his public ignorance of the practice of the House when, in fact, he was right and I think that I was wrong.
I had in mind, when I stopped the Joint Under-Secretary moving a new Clause which stood in the name of the Minister, our rule which prevents hon. Members from moving new Clauses of which they have not personally given previous notice. That is overridden by our constitutional practice, which allows Ministers to act for each other. I respectfully apologise and make this apology now, before the harm I have done should go further.
§ The Minister of State for Education and Science (Sir Edward Boyle)I thank you for that explanation, Mr. Speaker. These rules and procedures will be fully implanted in the memory of those who were concerned in the incident
§ Mr. SpeakerAnd in mine.