HC Deb 14 February 1979 vol 962 cc1172-3

As amended (in the Standing Committee), considered.

5.15 p.m.

Mr. Ian Stewart (Hitchin)

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I feel that at this stage in our proceedings I ought to place on record the fact that, in my view, the House has been placed in an embarrassing position by having to deal with the Report stage of this complicated Bill without having had sufficient time to consider the amendments and proposals that are to be suggested on Report.

It is obviously too late to seek a rearrangement of the business of the House in order to take the Report stage at a later date, but many material amendments were tabled only on Monday and were therefore available in print only yesterday. I also received yesterday a long and important letter from the Minister of State, as a result of which I should like to have tabled further amendments and to have considered the possibility of amending some Government amendments —not to mention the fact that we have had no time to have consultations with parties affected by the proposals.

I understand that a number of amendments promised by the Minister are not ready for the Report stage. My complaint is not against the Minister and his officials. They have done everything in their power to keep me abreast of events and I am grateful to them, but it is unsatisfactory that the House should come to the Report stage of an important Bill when, on the admission of the Minister involved, that Bill is in an incomplete state.

If we are to take the Report stage now, it should be understood by those taking part and by those who may pay attention to what we are discussing that the Bill is incomplete because of the pressure of time, which was not called for by the nature of the Bill.

Mr. Peter Emery (Honiton)

Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It should be pointed out that there are 25 Government amendments covering 11 quite involved subjects and they were tabled only on Monday.

I do not blame the Minister or his officials. They were politeness and cooperation personified in Committee, but there is something wrong with the organisation of the business of the House, particularly when we are not in a massive rush to get the Bill on to the statute book. Another two or three weeks would have no great bearing on the matter.

It is much more likely that the House will have to deal in greater depth with Lords amendments because certain aspects will have to be dealt with in another place and will have to come back here. While that is, of course, in order, it is never the most satisfactory way of dealing with important matters.

It is sometimes necessary to rush through important Bills, but this Bill does not come into that category and we do not have a whole host of legislation to get through in this Session.

I should be obliged, Mr. Deputy Speaker, if you could point out to the officials who organise our business the dissatisfaction of certain Conservative Members and our concern that the normal process of allowing time for consultation and consideration of Government amendments on Report should be observed in future.

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Oscar Murton)

Both hon. Members have aired their views. However, both have been Members of the House for a considerable time and they know that that matter is not one for the Chair. No doubt it has been noted in other places.

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