HC Deb 20 April 1971 vol 815 cc1091-2

Not amended in the Standing Committee, considered.

10.35 p.m.

Mr. Speaker

Earlier in the day I caused to be posted my provisional selection of Amendments. I have decided upon reconsideration slightly to extend that selection. First there can be debated with new Clause 1, Amendment No. 6. With new Clause 2 and Government Amendments 24 and 25 I am prepared to have discussed new Clause 3 in the name of the hon. Member for Renfrew, West (Mr. Buchan); then the other Government Amendments, Amendment 13, Government Amendment 14 and the sub-Amendment thereto. I am also prepared to have Amendment 9, also stand-in the name of the hon. Member for Renfrew, West, discussed with that Amendment, and then Government Amendments 20 and 21.

Mr. George Lawson (Motherwell)

On a point of order. This is the most important piece of legislation that we shall have from the Scottish Office in this Session. We spent a long time in Committee discussing this Bill which, according to the Government, is of major importance. When we return to the House I would have expected that we would have had an opportunity for a substantial debate on these important matters. Despite the additions, for which I am grateful, is this not a restricted debate on such an important subject?

Mr. Speaker

On these important matters I take very experienced advice, and I am told I have been unusally generous.

Mr. Lawson

Further to that point of order. I can recall vividly in the fairly recent past that we spent many hours on Report discussing subjects that had been discussed thoroughly in Committee. I wonder whether the advice comes from the same source. Why should there be such a difference?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member has been in the House a long time and he knows that this is not a matter for discussion. It is a matter vested solely in the discretion of the Chair. I have done my best to meet the points of view expressed.

  1. New Clause 1
      2. cc1092-105
    1. EFFECT OF ACT ON RATE SUPPORT GRANT 4,702 words
  2. New Clause 2
      3. cc1105-21
    1. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 7 OF EDUCATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 1962 5,850 words, 1 division
  3. Clause 1
      4. cc1121-35
    1. RE-ENACTMENT WITH MODIFICATIONS OF SECTION 3 OF THE EDUCATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 1962 5,068 words
  4. Clause 3
      5. cc1135-40
    1. SHORT TITLE, CITATION, CONSTRUCTION, REPEALS, COMMENCEMENT AND EXTENT 2,158 words, 2 divisions
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