HC Deb 04 May 1973 vol 855 cc1742-3

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members: Object.

Mr. Thomas Cox (Wandsworth, Central)

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. In view of what you said earlier about the difficulty for the Official Reporters in seeing who is the Member who objects, and since there are Government Whips deliberately objecting, is it not possible for you to ask hon. Members who object to stand in their place so that we may have their deplorable behaviour officially recorded?

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. I think that the hon. Member has been present at a sufficient number of debates on Friday to know that it is not possible for that to be done.

Mr. George Cunningham (Islington, South-West)

Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We know that notice is never taken in the Chamber of words uttered from a seated position. If a Member wishes to speak and wants his words recorded in HANSARD, he has to rise. That is why I am standing now. I submit that those who object ought to rise in their place so that we should then see who they are. May I ask you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, to arrange matters in future so that, if they have the guts to stand up, the names will be recorded?

Mr. Deputy Speaker

If an objection is heard, that is all that is required.

Mr. A. W. Stallard (St. Pancras, North)

Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker—

Mr. Deputy Speaker

I have already ruled upon it.

Mr. Stallard

I should have said that this is another point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Is it not possible that a property speculator, for instance, could keep objecting to this Bill dealing with improvement grants and thereby hide a vested interest?

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Whether it is possible or not has nothing to do with me now. So long as some hon. Member objects, that is all that is needed.

Second Reading deferred till Friday next.