§
Motion made,
That the Order of the House of 17th March, that the draft Weights and Measures Act 1963 (Weighed-out Foodstuffs) (Restrictions on Imperial Units) Order 1978 be referred to a Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c., be discharged.—[Mr. Foot.]
§ 11.2 p.m.
§ Mr. Robert Rhodes James (Cambridge)I rise not to oppose or object to the motion but to ask the Lord President of the Council, as he is present, to give some explanation to the House why the request is being made for the order to be discharged. I repeat that I am not objecting to the motion, but feel that the House is entitled to some explanation of the motion.
§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Michael Foot)This is not, I understand, a debatable motion and I am not quite sure whether the hon. Gentleman is raising the matter on a point of order. As I understand it, the motion is in the 595 normal form, considering the fact that the order was before the House on 17th March. In view, however, of the way in which the hon. Gentleman has raised the matter, I am prepared to look into it and see that he has a further explanation if there is any departure from the normal form; but I do not believe that to be the case.
§ Mr. Rhodes JamesFurther to that point of order. I wish again to emphasise that I am not opposing the motion. All I was seeking was some explanation. If the right hon. Gentleman is prepared to state that the motion follows normal procedure, I shall be happy to accept it, but it seems a slightly unusual procedure when an order of the House is suddenly brought before the House in an application for discharge.
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Oscar Murton)Order. The hon. Gentleman has pursued a slightly unusual course. So far so good, but he should not take it to another point of order. He has heard what the Lord President of the Council has said. He must either accept what has been said or object, which is the alternative.
§ Mr. Rhodes JamesOn a point of order on that matter, Mr. Deputy Speaker. With great respect, that is not an alternative with which I and the House are faced. I have asked for some brief explanation of why the motion is being proposed, and surely that is a proper request to make. As I have tried to emphasise, I am not endeavouring to object to the motion but am asking for some explanation.
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerThe point is that it is not exempted business; it is not debatable. That is the difficulty the House faces, because it would be a breach of rules of order. The hon. Gentleman raised a point of order and the right hon. Gentleman gave him an assurance. If the hon. Gentleman is satisfied with it, well and good. If he is dissatisfied, the only alternative he has is to object.
§ Mr. Rhodes JamesI do object.