HC Deb 16 July 1976 vol 915 cc1236-7

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members

Object.

Mr. Michael English (Nottingham, West)

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I propose to raise this point of order, though more briefly, on eight subsequent occasions today. Seven Members of the House who have claimed to introduce a Bill have not submitted a text, even though this is the last time for Private Members' Bills. Those who advise the Whip have not advised him that this Bill does not exist. Nobody can object to a Second Reading, because you cannot propose the Question on a Bill which does not exist in print. I suggest that this should be a dropped Order and struck off the Order Paper.

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine)

Perhaps it would be helpful if I mentioned to the hon. Member, having had my attention drawn to the fact that several Bills listed on the Order Paper have not been printed, that this is not an uncommon procedure. The House is safeguarded from proceeding with any such Bills by the action of the Chair. In such cases, if objection is not taken to the proceedings on the Bill it has been the long-standing practice of the occupant of the Chair to draw the attention of the House to the fact that the Bill has not been printed and to state that in his opinion he ought not to propose the Question. Precedents for this practice are set out at page 494 of "Erskine May" and I propose to follow them.

Mr. English

I entirely accept and understand your ruling, Mr. Deputy Speaker. In no way was this a criticism of the Chair. What I think is objectionable is the fact that for a Member to claim to introduce a Bill in such circumstances is an abuse of the House because it raises the expectations of people outside—false expectations, because they are never fulfilled by the hon. Member who claimed to introduce the Bill.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

As I explained to the hon. Gentleman, the Question is not being proposed. Second Reading what day? No day named.