§ Mr. AdleyI wish to raise a point of order on behalf of my hon. Friend the Member for Flint, West (Sir A. Meyer) and myself, though it may be that you, Mr. Speaker, will tell me that I should aim my question in another direction.
My hon. Friend and I both spoke on the Second Reading of the Theft Bill [Lords], which is a non-controversial measure in party terms, and we had both hoped to be selected for the Standing Committee. We were surprised and disappointed to find that, in spite of our speeches, neither of us had been selected.
§ Mr. SpeakerMay I say to the hon. Gentleman that, in accardonce with Standing Order No. 40, the Bill stood committed to a Standing Committee for its Committee stage after Second Reading. Members of the Committee were nominated by the Committee of Selection on 7th June and a note to that effect apppeared in the Votes and Proceedings. The Standing Committee met on 27th June.
Before I call the Lord President to make his statement, may I tell the House that today, exceptionally, I took points of order before the statement? As a rule, I shag take points of order after statements, for the obvious convenience of the House.