HC Deb 13 July 1966 vol 731 cc1454-5
38. Mr. Fisher

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will invite the Committee on Procedure to reconsider the relaxation of Standing Order No. 9 in order to make its application more flexible.

Mr. Bowden

Following exchanges in the House after the business statement on 30th June, I drew the attention of the Select Committee on Procedure to the need to give urgent consideration to the provisions of Standing Order No. 9.

Mr. Fisher

I am most grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. When considering this matter in Committee, will consideration be given to the fact that although the Standing Order has always been quite properly and correctly interpreted by you, Mr. Speaker, nevertheless there has been a sense of frustration on the part of hon. Members that the wishes of the House to debate matters of topical importance have been prevented? Will the right hon. Gentleman further consider the fact that, in so doing, the esteem in which the House is held by the public may decrease because the public do not understand our procedure, and the reasons for it?

Mr. Bowden

Yes. I have said previously that there is something to look at here, in that we now seem to have got into the position where Standing Order No. 9—because of precedents—is never allowed to operate. The Select Committee must look at this very carefully, however, because, on the other side of the coin, we do not want to have Standing Order No. 9 operating every day.

Mr. Rankin

Is it not important to know when we may expect any results from my right hon. Friend's recommendation?

Mr. Bowden

If my hon. Friend would read the Reports, he would see that they are coming out very frequently from the Committee.