§ As amended (in the Standing Committee), considered.
§ 4.15 p.m.
§ Mr. Norman Buchan (Renfrew, West)On a point of order. I should like to raise at the very beginning a brief point about the selection of Amendments, Mr. Speaker.
We have all been trying to be co-operative in making this a brief and meaningful day. It might be useful if with new Clause 4 we took Amendment No. 55 as well as Amendment No. 56. I mention this before we reach that stage so that you may give the matter a little thought. New Clause 4 relates to the establishment of an advisory committee. Our main reason for tabling Amendment No. 55, to leave out Clause 22, is that the Clause means the reduction of advisory and consultative aspects by abolishing the agricultural executive committees. I hope, Mr. Speaker, that you will consider the matter between now and our approaching the new Clause, so that the two may be taken together. I understand the Government's difficulties, that their briefing and papers will be prepared as two separate items, but I believe that the difficulties can be overcome, since the new Clause and the Amendments are the positive and negative side of the same advisory cherry. I think that it would speed up our proceedings to take them together.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. James Prior)As I understand it, at present we are to take new Clause 4 and Amendment No. 56 together and to have a separate debate on Clause 22, which Amendment No. 55 would delete. But if it is the desire of the House to combine our consideration of new Clause 4, Amendment No. 56 and Amendment No. 55, I see no possible objection.
§ Mr. BuchanI accept that. Amendment No. 56 is a procedural, technical Amendment, so basically we are agreeing on the matter.
§ Mr. Eric Deakins (Walthamstow, West)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. If there were such a change in our order of business, I hope that would be possible to have a separate vote on Amendment No. 55, if so desired, when we reached that point.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am very careful not to announce beforehand that I shall allow a separate vote on Amendments taken with others. I am afraid that if I say "Yes", that might be thought to be a precedent for other similar applications. But I shall certainly consider the hon. Gentleman's suggestion sympathetically.