HC Deb 13 July 1965 vol 716 cc284-6
Mr. Shinwell

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Recently, in the Ballot for Notices of Motions the hon. Member for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall) met with success. He obtained, I believe, the first preference. However, I understand that a debate is taking place this afternoon, immediately after we dispose of this business, on a Motion which came second in point of preference.

I wish to ask you, Sir, whether there is not some impropriety in the action that has been taken by the hon. Member for Wycombe and whether his action is due to pressure brought to bear on him by the Opposition?

Mr. Speaker

I would not know anything about pressures. It is no good asking me. But as far as the substantial point is concerned, the hon. Member, I understand, did not table his Motion, so really nothing arises. Nor is it true to say that we are going on to discuss the Motion to which the right hon. Gentleman referred immediately after this business. There are other things to do. I suggest that we should pass on to those other matters.

Mr. Shinwell

Further to that point of order. Mr. Speaker. The hon. Member for Wycombe met with success in the Ballot and hon. Members naturally expect that a debate would take place on the Motion of which he gave notice. Now it has been withdrawn.

Mr. Speaker

That does not raise any point of order. I cannot help the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Further to that point of order. Does it not raise this seeming impropriety in any case? I am not speaking of any question of pressure, which I do not know anything about and which would not concern you in any case, Sir, But the result is that No. 2 in the Ballot obtains priority which he would not have obtained if the ordinary rules had been observed. If the hon. Member for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall) had indicated at the time that he did not wish to move any Motion, presumably another draw would have been taken and possibly somebody else would have had No. I instead of the hon. Member for Wycombe.

Mr. Speaker

No point of order arises. If an hon. Member draws a position in the Ballot the House does not oblige him to make use of it. One may change one's view afterwards. It does not raise any point of order.

Sir G. de Freitas

Are we not entitled, Mr. Speaker, to assume that when an hon. member publicly announces that he is to move a certain Motion, he will do so? The hon. Member's withdrawal of this Motion has considerably inconvenienced hon. Members who regarded the potential debate on our relations with Europe as most important.

Mr. Speaker

No, we have many such occasions. There is no impropriety about it.

Dame Irene Ward

To settle this matter, may I ask whether you, Mr. Speaker, would be so kind as to have the precedents looked up when Motions have been altered, withdrawn or not tabled so that Members opposite may understand the business of the House and the way to conduct it?

Mr. Speaker

I decline the invitation. I dislike compiling statistics.