STANDING COMMITTEE ON STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS, &c. (Hansard, 12 November 1976)

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Oscar Murton)
I understand that the motion standing in the name of the Lord President of the Council concerning Standing Order No. 73A is not to be moved.

§ Mr. Ted Graham (Lord Commissioner of the Treasury)
Not moved.

§ Mr. Douglas Jay (Battersea, North)
On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Although I understand that in the circumstances today, in the absence of my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House, it is not proposed to move this motion or that on European secondary legislation, nevertheless, as they involve some very important issues affecting the constitutional rights of the House, I hope that the Government spokesman can give an assurance that we shall have ample time to debate them and take decisions on them at a reasonably early date.

§ Mr. John Davies (Knutsford)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. As guardian of the interests of 859 the House, will you take consideration of the fact that the proposals contained in these motions were derived from a statement made to the House no less than three months ago and that this is the first occasion on which we have had the opportunity of discussing them? Simply not to move them in this abrupt way seems to me to be the most distressing mistreatment of the House. I call upon you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, to protect our interests.

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker
This is not a matter for the Chair. It is entirely up to the member of the Government concerned to move the motions or not, as he wishes, or for any other member of the Government to do so in his place. It is not a matter which concerns the Chair.

§ Mr. Nigel Spearing (Newham, South)
Further to the point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I think that hon. Members who are present can imagine some of the circumstances in which the Government do not wish to move these motions and perhaps discuss the amendments. I hope, however, that it is proper for me, on a point of order, to mention the undertaking to which the right hon. Member for Knutsford (Mr. Davies) has referred. It was given, I believe, on 3rd November 1975, so that the motion fulfils part of an undertaking that was given over a year ago.

§ Mr. Jay
Further to the point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Can we not have an assurance from the Government spokesman that time will be given to debate these motions at a reasonably early date?

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker
It is not a matter for the Chair. It is a matter for the Government.

§ The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. William Rodgers)
I have not been present during the course of the discussions this afternoon, but I have noted the representations made by my right hon. Friend the Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay) and by the right hon. Member for Knutsford (Mr. Davies). I will ensure that they are drawn to the attention of my colleagues.