§ Bill to invalidate any future feu charters or multures; to enable superiors, vassals, etc., to require the redemption of existing fue duties, etc., and to require local authorities to provide loans in certain circumstances for this purpose; to authorise compensation on termination of long leases; to modify or alter feudal and similar conditions; to enable allocation of feu duty to be required; and for purposes connected therewith, presented accordingly, and read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday, 26th April and to be printed. [Bill 68.]
§ Sir Harmar NichollsOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. So that I may have my recollection confirmed, am I not right in thinking that there is no rule of the House saying that a speech introducing a Ten Minute Rule Bill must be confined to 10 minutes? Obviously, it is right that an hon. Member should keep his remarks as short as he can, but it is the privilege of a back bench hon. Member to be able to state his case. I should not like to feel that the decision which is now enshrined in. the record that such a speech can be as long as it ought to be, and not 10 minutes, is not clearly understood.
§ Mr. SpeakerIt has been the practice for quite a long time that hon. Members seeking to bring in Bills under the Ten Minute Rule endeavour to complete their speeches within 10 minutes. It is the duty of Mr. Speaker to call the attention of hon. Members to that practice when they stray beyond 10 minutes. I must protect the interests of the House as well as those of back bench hon. Members.