§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Mr. F. A. Burden (Gillingham)On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. One of the hon. Members who you assumed objected to the Bill has since stated that he did not do so.
§ Mr. Russell Kerr (Feltham)That is correct, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I was under a misapprehension. I should like to withdraw my objection.
§ Mr. BurdenOn a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I am very sorry but the point of order I was making was about the Bill relating to the export of animals. That was where the error was made.
Mr. Deputy SpeakerI am afraid it is much too late. In any case, I have heard the objections. [Interruption.]
§ The Title will be read out again.
§ Mr. J. C. Jennings (Burton)On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The word "object" was not heard by hon. Members at this end of the Chamber.
§ Mr. Anthony Fell (Yarmouth)Further too that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We are in a little difficulty, because it is perfectly clear that an hon. Member opposite who objected in error has since admitted that he objected in error. Nobody has heard any other objection.
Mr. Deputy SpeakerI am afraid it is far too late to go back to that point. [Interruption.] I have ruled on that point of order, and it is too late to go back to that point.
§ Mr. Philip Whitehead (Derby, North)On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Hon. Members below the Gangway not only did not hear the Title of the Bill but those who did hear the Title of the Bill when it was subsequently read thought it was read out incorrectly. May we hear it correctly read out?
§ Sir Robin Turton (Thirsk and Mahon)With great respect, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I heard you say you would call the Bill again. The Bill was incorrectly called again. Therefore, would it not be in order to have the Bill re-cited?
§ Mr. BurdenFurther to that point of order. I would remind you Mr. Deputy Speaker——
Mr. Deputy SpeakerOrder. I have already ruled on that point of order. I directed the Clerk to go back to the last order and that Bill, and he did, and I cannot go further back than that.
§ Mr. BurdenThis is an entirely different point of order, with great respect. It hinges on this. I drew your attention, Mr. Deputy Speaker, to the fact that a particular Bill, the Export of Animals (Control) Bill had been incorrectly called, and you then said that you would have it called again, but in error the Clerk called another Bill. That is the position. I do not think that there can be any dispute about this. Therefore, the Bill should be called again.
Mr. Deputy SpeakerI asked the Clerk to read again the previous order—the last order. This he did. I cannot go back further than that.
§ Mr. Russell KerrIt was through my mistake that this difficulty has arisen. It was obvious when the hon. Member for Gillingham (Mr. Burden) rose to try to put right what he appreciated was a result of my frank admission that I had made a mistake. You responded, Mr. Deputy Speaker, in the way you have indicated. It would be a total nonsense if we were to stand on a legalistic interpretation of the situation. May we not try to put this matter right? May I suggest that we use common sense and get this matter out of the road?
§ Question, That the Bill be now read a Second time, put and agreed to.
§ Several Hon. Members rose——
§ Bill committed to a Standing Committee pursuant to Standing Order No. 40 (Committal of Bills).