HC Deb 17 February 1971 vol 811 cc1850-1
Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I ask your assistance in a matter which has caused me some difficulty. On six occasions over recent weeks, I have applied for an Adjournment debate. Last week, I was successful. I was allotted the Adjournment debate last night. On yesterday's Order Paper there were four separate Bills sponsored by the Government falling to be discussed in the course of the day. I waited throughout the discussion on the first Bill, made certain inquiries about the progress of business, and discovered that we were likely to spend several hours on the other matters. However, the Committee having completed its discussions on the first Bill, the Government, without any warning to me, withdrew without notice the rest of the day's business, whereupon the House adjourned, I not being in my place to open the Adjournment debate. [HoN. MEMBERS: "Where were you?"] I hear the bawdy cries from the benches opposite asking where I was.

Sir G. Nabarro

Fast asleep.

Mr. Lyon

I was not fast asleep, as the hon. Gentleman suggests.

Sir G. Nabarro

What was the hon. Gentleman doing?

Mr. Lyon

I was engaged on an operation which is too delicate to discuss.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman must not be drawn by questions from the benches opposite. I hope that he will come to his point of order.

Mr. Lyon

The point of order that I wish to put before you is how I can be protected, this situation having arisen. Am I entitled now to apply for a further Adjournment debate on the same subject, which is of considerable interest to my constituents, or am I debarred from doing so immediately? One has noticed in the past in similar circumstances that Mr. Speaker has exercised a certain indulgence towards an hon. Member in my position. In response to the bawdy cries which came from the benches opposite just now, I say only that were I to be denied the possibility of raising this matter, which is important to my constituents, I should have to take a different attitude to other matters which might come from the Government in the future.

Mr. Tapsell

Further to that point of order. It will be within the recollection of those right hon. and hon. Members who were present during our Committee discussions last night that the actual circumstances were that after a puerile filibuster lasting nearly two hours in the course of which hon. Members on this side pointed out that the Adjournment debate was being put at risk, my right hon Friend the Leader of the House at the request of the Opposition, undertook to withdraw the remaining business provided that these absurd activities were brought to a conclusion.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I think I am prepared to deal with the matter without further assistance. I have sympathy for the hon. Member for York (Mr. Alexander W. Lyon). Everyone has been caught out at some time or another. I will consider his point and communicate with him.

Mr. Ogden

On a point of order—

Mr. Speaker

The Clerk will now proceed to read the Orders of the Day.