§
Motion made,
That this House takes note of Commission Document No. S/1430/75 relating to Cyprus Sherry.—[Mr. Walter Harrison.]
§ 8.23 p.m.
§ Mr. Bob Cryer (Keighley)On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I have no reason to object to the motion. Indeed, I know that I cannot do so and that the House can only divide against it, but this motion is a precedent for European legislation which I hope you will consider.
The Commission document has been debated in Committee, but the report of the Committee was available in the Vote Office only at 2.30 p.m. today. Consequently the House has had only a few hours to digest the Committee's report and to decide whether to divide on the motion. That means that more than 600 hon. Members have had only six hours to make a judgment on the document. That is wholly unfair. At least two days should be allowed to enable hon. Members to study the report of the debate and the document.
I raise the matter because I do not wish this precedent to pass without being carefully examined to ensure that the rights of hon. Members are protected and that they are able to obtain the fullest information before making a mature and considered judgment on whether to take 2032 the only action they can take, which is to divide the House. The only hon. Members who can come to such a decision are members of the Committee.
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Oscar Murton)The Chair has listened to what the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) has said on the point of order which he has raised. It is not a matter for the Chair, but the Chair is certain that the Government will have taken note of his point.
§ Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 73A (Statutory Instruments, &c.,) and agreed to.