§ Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill:—
§ The Committee proceeded to a Division—
§ Mr. Arthur Lewis (seated and covered)On a point of order. I have a very serious point to raise with you, Sir Robert. I have here for quotation purposes the early morning edition of a newspaper which says:
Ted Sacks Clegg.
§ Mr. SkinnerWho is Clegg?
§ Mr. Lewis"Clegg" is the unpaid chairman of the Industrial Tribunal for the Civil Service. If some of my hon. Friends want to know who "Ted" is, it is none other than the Prime Minister. Had hon. Members opposite known that the Prime Minister was about to sack "Clegg" without any reason, obviously interfering with industrial relations, that would surely have affected their voting on this Clause. I ask that the vote should be held up until we have Ted here to give an explanation.
§ The ChairmanOrder. A little banter is not all that bad, but this has nothing to do with the Bill. We are bound by the Resolution of the House as set out by the Business Committee and all we can do is to get on with the work. There is nothing else we can do.
§ Mr. LewisWith great respect, Sir Robert, you said that this had nothing to do with the Bill. However, you may have heard the Solicitor-General say that the Government would be fair and reasonable. Professor Clegg, a Government-appointed independent arbitrator, has been sacked. The Solicitor-General also said that the Government could be trusted to be honest and straightforward. Instead, they have shown that they are dishonest, crooked, and unfair. Surely the Committee should have some explanation before it votes on this Clause.
§ The ChairmanI am sorry to disappoint the hon. Gentleman, but there is nothing that I can do as Chairman of the Committee to help him.
§ The Committee having divided: Ayes 277, Noes 238.
§ [For Division List 178 see col. 2071.]
§ Clause 100 ordered to stand part of the Bill.