HC Deb 18 May 1965 vol 712 cc1179-80

Adjourned Debate on Question [29th April], That it be an Instruction to the Committee on the Bill to leave out Clause 48 of the Bill, further adjourned till Tuesday next.

Mr. Hirst

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am in a quandary, and seek enlightenment. Consideration of the Manchester Corporation Bill has now been adjourned till Tuesday next, and it has been continuously so adjourned, but it had time allocated to it by the Chairman of Ways and Means some time ago. The matter was discussed, but that discussion was not concluded. The debate was adjourned, and so it is that we now have it on the Order Paper. There are various Amendments showing a desire on the part of some hon. Members that it be an instruction to the Committee to leave out Clause 48—and, indeed, Clause 41.

I have now discovered, as must be well known, that the Committee is now discussing Clause 41, and that seems to give rise to a rather peculiar situation. The Committee may come to a conclusion on this Clause, if it did not do so this morning, yet by order of the Chairman of Ways and Means we are having put down for consideration on Tuesday next something which, in another area of the House, may have been decided. I would be grateful for your guidance, Mr. Speaker, either now or, if more convenient to you, later.

Mr. Speaker

I should have to think about it. I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's difficulty, but I cannot help him, because the time appointed for consideration of this adjourned debate is outside the realm of my responsibility.

Mr. Hirst

I naturally appreciate that, Mr. Speaker. The difficulty is that one cannot very easily question the Chairman of Ways and Means in the House and when he is in the Chair of the Committee there is some Question before the Committee. I therefore do not know, in my innocence—although I have been here a little time—how one goes about it, although I know that, privately, the Chairman of Ways and Means would be only too willing to deal with the problem.

Mr. Speaker

I give the hon. Member this hope, that I observe that while the hon. Member is talking the Chairman of Ways and Means is sitting here. But I cannot say anything about it.