HC Deb 12 November 1964 vol 701 cc1328-9

Ordered, That the Proceedings on the Motion relating to Finance Bill (Procedure) may be entered upon and proceeded with at this day's Sitting at any hour, though opposed.—[Mr. Short.]

Mr. George Lawson (Motherwell)

I beg to move, That this House do now adjourn.

Mr. Deputy-Speaker (Dr. Horace King)

Finance Bill (Procedure).

Mr. Heath

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy-Speaker. Did you not clearly hear the Adjournment moved by the Government Whip? Ought not that Question to be proposed and the normal Adjournment procedure to be followed?

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

I did not call upon the hon. Member for Motherwell (Mr. Lawson) to move the Adjournment.

Mr. Heath

Further to that point of order. Surely it is not customary for Mr. Speaker or Mr. Deputy-Speaker to call anyone to move the Adjournment. It is the custom for the Government Whip to rise to move the Adjournment, whereupon the Motion is accepted by the Chair. In this case he was clearly heard to move it. He rose and moved the Adjournment.

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

The House has passed the Business of the House Motion to enable it to proceed to the second Motion on Finance Bill (Procedure). I was about to call the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and was in the process of doing so, when I was interrupted. I must rule that we must get on with the business.

Mr. Heath

With great respect, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, before you started to read the Motion to which you have just referred, the Adjournment was moved by the Government Whip. I am certain that if confirmation were wanted by the House he would confirm that he rose and moved the Adjournment. In that case, ought you not either to accept it or to ask the hon. Member to withdraw his Motion?

Mr. Diamond

Further to that point of order. Perhaps I may offer an explanation which the right hon. Gentleman will find acceptable. It is my responsibility to deal with the Motion which is about to come before the House and I asked my hon. Friend the Government Whip at which stage this would occur. He whispered certain words to me which indicated when this Motion would be put, and I imagine that the right hon. Gentleman overheard words which were merely the usual Front Bench exchanges.

Mr. Heath

Further to that point of order. I assure the Chief Secretary that I overheard nothing which he may have said to his hon. Friend. What I clearly heard was the Government Whip move the Adjournment.

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

I hope that the House will he reasonable and will let us proceed with the business which is on the Order Paper.

Sir D. Glover

Further to that point or order. It was in the hearing of the House, of dozens of hon. Members, that the Government Whip moved the Adjournment—although he may regret that he did so. Surely it is the procedure of the House that, the Adjournment having been moved, we cannot go back on previous business. I am sure that if the Government Whip is allowed to come to the Box he will admit that he moved the Adjournment of the House.

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

I hope that we can proceed with the business of the House.