§ Mr. Arthur LewisOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am sorry that I have not been able to give you notice of the matter, but it has arisen only in the last moment or two. You will recall that at 10 o'clock this morning I prophesied that the Government would try to get through on the nod the Bill dealing with Mr. Speaker King's pension. On page 5885 of today's Order Paper, what I prophesied has come true, for the fifth Order of the Day is Mr. Speaker King's Retirement Bill. The Bill is put down without suspension of the Standing Order in the hope that it will go through on the nod.
My point of order arises in this way, Mr. Speaker. There is no such Bill available, or there was not up to two minutes ago. Is it in order for the Government 1609 to try to get a Second Reading for a Bill which is not available, trying to slip it through without suspension, which means that hon. Members have no chance of reading the Bill or of preparing Amendments? Until 3.30 this afternoon no such Bill was available to hon. Members.
§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. William Whitelaw)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps I should make clear to the hon. Gentleman and the House that, since the Bill is founded on a Ways and Means Resolution, it is automatically exempted business and no suspension is required for it. It can be debated if and when it comes up tonight.
§ Mr. SpeakerIt is not out of order to put this Bill down on the Order Paper. As to what happens in regard to it, one can deal with that when the occasion arises. There is no point of order now.
§ Mr. LewisBut, surely, Mr. Speaker [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] I am raising a point of order with Mr. Speaker, and I am doing so now because Mr. Speaker will shortly be leaving the Chair when we go into Committee. How can we have the Second Reading of a Bill—the Leader of the House has put his foot further into it now—late at night when there is no chance to see the Bill because it is nonexistent? It means that late at night or early in the morning, we shall have to debate a non-existent Bill, with no chance of Amendment or the opportunity to put forward any ideas or suggestions. Is this not completely anti-democratic?
§ Mr. WhitelawFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps I might help the House. I understand that the House was anxious to proceed with this matter. However, if there are hon. Members who are not anxious to proceed and who think that it should be delayed, very well, it will not be moved.