HC Deb 16 November 1977 vol 939 cc577-8

Motion made, and Question put forthwith pursuant to Standing Order No. 73A (Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c.), That the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (No. 6) Order 1977 be referred to a Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c.—[Mr. Foot.]

Not less than 20 Members having risen in their places and signified their objection thereto, MR. SPEAKER declared that the Noes had it, pursuant to Standing Order No. 73A (Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c.).

Mr. Spearing

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Before you put the Question I had intended to raise a point of order concerning the procedure that has just been followed by my hon. Friends, which is to enable a debate to take place.

When the motion was put on the Order Paper yesterday there was a note attached to it to say that the treaties, concerning the relationship of the EEC with Greece and Turkey, had not been looked at by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments. That being so, there was no opportunity for that Committee to draw to the attention of the House any unusual matter in relation to those treaties. Therefore, the House had not had a proper opportunity to decide whether a debate was required. I hope that in future the notification that appears on the remaining Orders of the Day might, for convenience and accuracy, be repeated on the effective Orders so that the House may make its judgment on the matter.

Mr. Speaker

I am much obliged to the hon. Gentleman for giving me notice of his point of order.

An indication of the nature described by the hon. Gentleman is never placed under the notice of motion to refer a Statutory Instrument to a Standing Committee. Its proper place is beneath the notice of motion to approve the Instrument itself. Exactly the same was done in relation to No. 5 of this series, which was referred to a Standing Committee yesterday, as the hon. Gentleman will see if he examines the Order Paper.