HC Deb 28 January 1970 vol 794 c1521

Read' a Second time and referred to the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills.

Mr. Shinwell

On a point of order. Is it not obvious that, apart from the merits of these Private Bills, many of the objections are of a frivolous character? What is the purpose of all the preparations by legal people and those associated with municipal corporations and other business concerns if the House is to treat these matters in this frivolous manner?

Mr. Speaker

Order. I have some sympathy with the right hon. Gentleman, but it is the right of an hon. Member to insist on a Second Reading being debated in the House.

Sir K. Joseph

On a point of order. Why have you sympathy for the right hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell), Mr. Speaker, since my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Knutsford (Sir W. Bromley-Davenport), or any other hon. Member who uses this right, is only preserving the right of the public for full discussion of any Bill?

Mr. Speaker

That is a clearer repetition of what I said rather clumsily.

Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

I wonder whether you could use your discretion, Mr. Speaker, about people rising to points of order who are now in their senility.

Mr. Speaker

I am not sure to which side of the House the hon. Gentleman is referring.

Sir C. Taylor

On a point of order. Should it not be made clear that any hon. Member who objects to these Bills is not necessarily objecting to the Bill but is objecting to its getting a Second Reading without debate?

Mr. Speaker

That is what I have said, only a little more concisely.