§ As amended (in the Standing Committee), considered.
§ 11.5 a.m.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I have not selected the Amendments on the Notice Paper in the names of the hon. Members for Abingdon (Mr. Neave) and Worthing (Mr. Higgins). I took great note of the representations they made to me last night. May I say that I have considerable sympathy with the hon. Members, as I know that they are particularly concerned with the problems of National Insurance, and especially this one, on which they have campaigned for several years.
Unfortunately, however sympathetic I may be to the aims expressed, I cannot allow an Amendment to the Bill which brings in additional classes. The scope of the Bill is confined to the rate or amount of contributions and benefit and does not extend to the additional classes of persons entitled to pensions, which is the subject of the new Clause and the Schedule.
The Chair is bound to observe the rules of order and an Amendment is out of order if it is beyond the scope of the Bill. On that ground, these Amendments must now be ruled out of order, as they were in Committee. I have studied the text of the National Insurance Bill of 1967, to which the hon. Gentlemen called my notice last night, and I find that the scope of that Bill was wider than the Bill before the House this morning. I hope that that will convince the two hon. Gentlemen that I have given great care to this question of selection.
§ Mr. Terence Higgins (Worthing)On a point of order. May I express our very greatest thanks to you for the very great consideration which you have given to our representations.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. I know how disappointed he and his hon. Friend must be.
§ Motion made, and Question, That the Bill be now read the Third time, put forthwith pursuant to Standing Order No. 55 (Third Reading), and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed.