BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES (Hansard, 13 December 1968)

§ Mr. John Page
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I have, five minutes ago, been informed by the First Secretary of State's office that the right hon. Lady is to publish in the London Gazette tonight an Order bringing about a standstill and a reduction in regard to the wage claim of building workers.
When, yesterday, we discussed next week's business my right hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham (Mr. R. Carr) and I asked that before such a step was taken a statement should be made, and on 11th November we had from the Leader of the House the very strongest moral undertaking that a debate would be allowed before such a standstill was directed.
I understand that it is impossible for me today to seek to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9, but I beg to give notice that I shall move the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment thereafter for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter which should have urgent attention, namely—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The matter of which the hon. Member complains is a point, not for the Chair, but for himself and the Minister. He is right in saying that he cannot ask for an S.O.9 on a Friday, nor can he ask on a Friday for an S.O.9 on a Monday. If the hon. Member seeks an S.O.9, he must do so when an application for an S.O.9 is in order.

§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenter
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the presence of the Leader of the House this morning, and of his own statement of 11th November, which has already been recalled, may I ask whether we are to have a statement from him?

§ The Lord President of the Council and the Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Fred Peart)
In view of what has been said, Mr. Speaker, I will communicate immediately with my right hon. Friend. I have been attending a meeting and was unaware of this situation. I will certainly make representations to my right hon. Friend now.

§ Mr. Gordon Campbell
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Have you received any request or indication from the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity that she might make a statement in the House, considering that the Chancellor of the Exchequer recently employed this means of making a statement on a Friday, even at a late hour?

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. This is rather an otiose question. If I had received any such information, the House would have been made aware of it.

§ Sir Knox Cunningham
Further to that point of order—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. Before I am addressed on any points of order, I would remind the House that this is Private Members' day. I hope that we can get to their Bills in good time.

§ Sir Knox Cunningham
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Would it be in order for the right hon. Lady to make an application to you today, and for you to accede to that application when it is made, so that a statement could be made at 4 o'clock?

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The hon. Gentleman should know that if a Minister wants to make a statement, a Minister can make a statement.