HC Deb 09 May 1973 vol 856 cc696-7
Mr. Dean

I beg to move Amendment No. 93, in page 104, line 17, leave out from 'pensions' to 'increase)' in line 19 and insert: ' or as between different parts of a pension of any category either by specifying different increases, or by excluding any category or part from the application of any'. This is a technical amendment, designed to remove uncertainty in the present drafting as to the powers available to the Reserve Pension Board in declaring a normal bonus.

Mr. William Clark (Surrey, East) rose——

Amendment agreed to.

1.15 a.m.

Mr. Clark

Mr. Deputy Speaker, I wished to speak on Amendment No. 93. I find that it is the only way in which I can raise the reserve fund——

Mr. Deputy Speaker

I am sorry. I did not see the hon. Member rise. I had collected the voices and taken a decision. If he had called my attention a little sooner I would, of course, have stopped. However, having taken the course which I have taken, I cannot go back. I am sorry.

Mr. Clark

I am delighted to find that Amendment No. 95 deals with the same clause.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

I cannot take Amendments Nos. 94 and 95 now. I can only take them formally because they have been discussed already. I must ask the Minister to move Amendments Nos. 94 and 95 formally if he wishes to do so.

Mr. Clark

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. What does a back bencher do? Whilst you were reading the amendments. I was standing in my place. I think that every hon. Member could see that I was standing in my place. If it is up to me, according to the rules of order, to call out and say "Please, may I speak?", I shall do so. I was standing in my place when you read the amendments.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

That is so. It is normal for an hon. Member to stand in his place and for the Chair to see him there. But, if it happens that the Chair does not see him, it is better for the hon. Member to call the attention of the Chair to the fact that he is there. That often happens. If the hon. Gentleman had done so I should have called him.

Amendments made: No. 94, in page 104,line 24, after 'expedient', insert '(a)',

No. 95, in page 104, line 26, after 'Board', insert: — '(b) as to the application of any normal or interim bonus to pensions in respect of which elections have been made for the purposes of section 76(3) of this Act; and (c)'.—[Mr. Dean]

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