HC Deb 25 April 1977 vol 930 cc731-2
Mr. Spearing

On a point of order. You may recall, Mr. Speaker, that on Friday 18th March a motion was before the House at 11 a.m. relating to EEC Document No. R /2196/76 on Rights of Establishment of Dentists. I raised a point of order, as did my right hon. Friend the Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay), submitting that the House could not properly take a decision on that order as the memorandum from Her Majesty's Government was placed in the Vote Office only minutes before the House met. The Government persisted in the motion and on Friday last the motion came before the House "That this House takes note of" the document, the Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments having considered it.

Last Friday, as you are aware, was Private Members' day when precedence is given to Private Members' motions, but the Government saw fit to put the order at the end of the Order Paper on that day. I raised the matter with my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House, who may reply to a Question on the matter on Thursday, but as the motion did not attract sufficient numbers in the Lobbies, it fell.

The House is thereby embarrassed. Twice the Government have put a motion before the House and there has been inadequate opportunity for it to be discussed by Back-Benchers or for the documents available to be looked at. Would you advise us how we may prevent abuse of procedure in matters which are important to the House?

Mrs. Dunwoody

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I was present in the House on that occasion and I am deeply disturbed, because the contents of the orders are of considerable importance, both to the professional bodies and to those who use the dental services. I hope that you will give us an assurance that the fact that they fell on Friday does not mean that they will no longer be debated. They are of tremendous importance and carry considerable implications for the health of the people of Great Britain.

Mr. Speaker

I am indebted to the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) for giving me notice this morning that he intended to raise this matter on a point of order. He drew my attention to a Commission document on which there was a Division on Friday when less than a quorum was present in the Division Lobbies. In accordance with Standing Order No. 29(2), Mr. Deputy-Speaker declared that the motion was not decided and, accordingly, the motion stood over until today, when it is placed among the non-effective orders. This is in answer to the hon. Lady, too.

The question whether and when the motion is to be put before the House again is not a matter for me but a matter of business which, on an appropriate occasion, should be put to the Leader of the House. I am conscious of my responsibility as best I can to protect the interests of hon. Members, but the arrangement of business is beyond my concern.

Mrs. Dunwoody

With the greatest respect, Mr. Speaker, and not in any way wishing to question the judgment of the Chair, may we have the undertaking that on that basis the EEC order can in no way be said to have been accepted by the House of Commons?

Mr. Speaker

It is not accepted; it stands over.