§ [1ST ALLOTTED DAY]
§ 10.0 a.m.
§ Mr. Ian MacArthur (Perth and East Perthshire)On a point of order. I do not want to detain the House, but I would like to call attention to the difficulty in which Scottish Members have been placed. We are sitting on the continued Committee stage of the Social Work (Scotland) Bill [Lords] and there are many Members who, to my knowledge, wish to participate in the Transport Bill proceedings this morning.
Is there any machinery whereby a communication between the Floor of the House and the Committee can be maintained, so that Members can follow at a distance the progress of the debate this morning and so determine when to leave the Committee so as to attend the House?
§ Mr. SpeakerI appreciate the point of the hon. Gentleman. It has been put to me before. I have then made the suggestion that hon. Members must keep in contact with each other. The Chair cannot undertake to help on this very difficult problem.
§ Mr. Peter Walker (Worcester)Further to that point of order. While understanding the position, I wonder whether, as there are a number of suitable places upstairs, it would be possible to put up on pieces of paper an indication of what Amendment has been reached. There are many areas of Scotland specifically affected, and if hon. Members could be informed in this way it would be of great advantage.
§ Mr. SpeakerThat responsibility must lie with hon. Members. I do not think that I can add to the burden of the Chair.