HC Deb 23 March 1971 vol 814 cc223-4

Order for Second Reading read.

Mr. Speaker

The Question is "That the Bill be read a Second time—

Mr. Robert Cooke

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You appeared to give the impression that the Bristol Corporation Bill was receiving a Second Reading. In fact, I understand that that is not correct.

Mr. Wellbeloved

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it not a fact that under the Standing Orders, once a Bill has been objected to and a Motion has been placed on the Notice Paper, the Measure must automatically go down for a seven o'clock debate before its Second Reading can be achieved?

Mr. Speaker

I think the hon. Gentleman is perfectly right. I confess that I expected to hear a shout ex abundanti cautela of "Object".

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Further to the points of order that have been raised with you, Mr. Speaker, might I suggest that it is probably because the microphones were not working properly that you did not hear the Chairman of Ways and Means say "Tomorrow", and that had you heard him say that, you would not have been misled by the malfunctioning of the microphones?

Mr. Speaker

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that comment.

Bill to be read a Second time Tomorrow.

    c224
  1. CHICHESTER HARBOUR CONSERVANCY BILL (By Order) 7 words
    2. c224
  2. CITY OF LONDON (VARIOUS POWERS) No. 2 BILL (By Order) 18 words