HC Deb 08 June 1978 vol 951 cc382-3
Mr. Speaker

On a point of order, Mr. Higgins.

Mr. Higgins

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am grateful to you for calling me. May I ask for your ruling? Is it not the case that attempts to debate or move amendments either on minimum lending rate or on bank special deposits would be out of order either on Report or on the Third Reading of the Finance Bill?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Worthing (Mr. Higgins) had better ask me tomorrow. I must say that I always look at amendments as they are tabled and rule accordingly. The hon. Gentleman may well be right. I must say that I do not want to give a ruling now.

Mr. Foot

Further to the point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am sure that you will give full consideration to the matter, but I hope that you will take into account the occasions on previous Finance Bills when references have been made to minimum lending rate. I submit to you, off the cuff, Mr. Speaker, that it would be in defiance of past practices if such references were to he ruled out of order.

Mr. Higgins

May I ask, Mr. Speaker, therefore, that you will rule perhaps tomorrow or at an appropriate time on this? Particularly in view of the Lord President's statement, would you also tell us whether there has ever been any precedent for such an amendment being moved? Would you deal with that when you give your ruling?

Mr. Speaker

I think that the hon. Member for Worthing is asking me to rule on a hypothetical matter, but I shall consider it, of course.

Mr. David Price

Further to the point of order, Mr. Speaker. In considering the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Worthing (Mr. Higgins), and in making your statement tomorrow, will you consider also that, certainly to my knowledge, charging minimum lending rate has never required legislation? It has always been a matter of executive action by the Government or the Bank of England. I therefore suggest, with great respect, that its position within the Finance Bill is irrelevant.

Mr. Speaker

I am much obliged.

Mr. Ioan Evans

Further to the point of order, Mr. Speaker. Will you bear in mind that the minimum lending rate has been reduced on at least eight occasions in the last year or so and that there has been no request by the Opposition for any comment on those occasions?

Mr. Speaker

I shall bear everything in mind.