§ As amended (in the Standing Committee), considered.
§ 11.18 p.m.
§ Mr. David Steel (Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I beg to move, That further consideration of the Bill, as amended, be now adjourned.
I do this because we have already had the Second Reading of an important Scottish Bill today, and we have completed the Report stage and Third Reading of another important Scottish Bill. The Government now propose that we should embark on a second Report stage, for which there are more than 30 amendments down for consideration. It is unreasonable to start on this Report stage at nearly 20 minutes past 11 o'clock at night. The Government would not put down the Second Reading and two Report stages of English legislation on
§ one day, and Scottish Members should not be treated in this way.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am not prepared to accept the motion at this stage. We have not started to discuss the measure yet, and it was set down on the Order Paper for today. Therefore, I cannot accept that motion now.