HC Deb 28 February 1977 vol 927 cc34-5
Mr. Speaker

I have a brief statement to make. For the debate on Monday 7th March on the Second Reading of the Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill, hon. Members may hand in to my office by 9 o'clock on the morning of Friday 4th March their names and the topics they wish to raise. A Ballot will be carried out, as on the last occasion. An hon. Member may hand in only his own name and one topic.

The Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill includes certain Defence Supplementary Estimates for the current year, as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 139, certain Civil Supplementary Estimates for the current year, as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 140, the Supplementary Estimates Classes 1 to 17 for the current year, as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 173, and excesses in Civil and Defence Estimates for 1975–76, as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 185.

It will be in order on the Second Reading to raise topics falling within the ambit of the expenditure proposed in these papers. I shall put out the result of the Ballot later on 4th March.

Mr. George Cunningham

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Will you consider for later occasions when you have this kind of statement to make choosing an earlier day than that which you have chosen for the drawing of a Ballot and announcing the result? It is inconvenient both to hon. Members and to Government Departments—which is not unimportant, especially when the date in question is a Friday—to know so late the order of the subjects that are to be taken. I am sure that you will be free on your say so to advance the date by 24 hours without taking the matter to the Procedure Committee. I hope that you will consider that.

Mr. Speaker

I am obliged to the hon. Member. Naturally I shall give consideration to what he has said. I had hoped to make the statement last Thursday afternoon. The House may have forgotten, but I have not, that statements and questions went on until 5 o'clock, and I overlooked this matter. I am sorry for that, and I shall endeavour to give more notice in future and to have the Ballot earlier.