HC Deb 27 July 1977 vol 936 cc774-5

Ordered, That, at this day's sitting, the National Health Service Bill [Lords], the Consideration of a Lords Amendment to the Post Office Bill, any proceedings on Motions relating to Committees to draw up Reasons, and the consideration of any Lords messages which may be received may be proceeded with at this day's sitting, though opposed, until any hour, the Motion relating to Sound Broadcasting (Joint Committee) may be proceeded with though opposed, until half-past Eleven o'clock or for one and a half hours after it has been entered upon, whichever is the later.—[Mr. Tinn.]

Mr. Speaker

In reply to the point of order raised by the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Cunningham) I believe that the amendments have been received from another place and it will be open for the House to deal with them under the Standing Orders if the House so decides.

Mr. Cunningham

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. When will the amendments be available to hon. Members? The House of Lords finished debating them at 6 o'clock. I understand that there are about 60 amendments, and the House has just decided that we can determine these amendments, though opposed, after 10 o'clock even though hon. Members have not had the opportunity to see them.

Mr. Speaker

I understand that the amendments have been received. They have gone to the Public Bill Office, where the staff are working to ensure that right hon. and hon. Members will have copies available when we come to this matter.

Mr. Cunningham

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. This is the final stage in the consideration and processing of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Bill and it is absolutely in character with the manner in which the whole Bill has proceeded. It is undoubtedly the worst-processed Bill in history and the worst constructed, and the country will see that it is a disaster.

Mr. Speaker

The amendments will be available shortly. The staff of the House, who have had to work under exceptionally difficult circumstances this week, are working at it now.

Mr. Arthur Lewis (Newham, North-West)

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Of course we all pay tribute to you and your staff for the excellent work you always do. What we object to is a non-elected body holding us up and preventing us from carrying out our parliamentary duties. The other place—the non-elected body—is holding up parliamentary democracy. If it wishes to carry on with this anachronism it should do so when it does not hold up the work of the democratically-elected body in this place.

Mr. Speaker

I think that these points can be raised—the hon. Member has been here for more than 32 years, as I have—when the amendments are presented. That might be an opportunity for a brief intervention.

Mr. Michael Shersby (Uxbridge)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Will you advise the House whether it is reasonable that hon. Members at this late hour should be expected to study so many amendments from another place? Shall we have sufficient opportunity to consider these amendments carefully and express a point of view? I believe that this is a grave situation which faces every hon. Member present.

Mr. Speaker

These are questions that should be raised when the House is presented with the amendments. We are holding up the speech of the hon. Member for Bristol, North-West (Mr. Thomas).