§ Mr. FreudOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Next Friday the Abortion (Amendment) Bill is due to come before the House. I have tried, and I am sure that other hon. Members have also tried, to have the Bill looked at. I understand from the Public Bill Office that the hon. Member has not yet submitted it. It is a contentious Bill and many of us would like to get advice from medical practitioners in our constituencies on how to vote. Can anything be done to expedite publication of the Bill? If so, the whole house would be grateful.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am obliged to the hon. Member for Isle of Ely (Mr. Freud). That matter was raised yesterday during Business Questions, but it is not something on which I have any standing. It is for the hon. Member concerned. Perhaps the hon. Member for Isle of Ely will raise it with the hon. Member in charge of the Bill.
§ Mr. William HamiltonFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Will you indicate what will happen, for example, if the Bill is not published between now and next Wednesday? That would put the House in an impossible position.
§ Mr. SpeakerI realise the difficulties in which the House may be placed, but it is a matter for the hon. Member concerned.
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Norman St. John-Stevas)Further to the point of order, Mr. Speaker. The hon. Member for Isle of Ely (Mr. Freud) has raised an important matter. I shall be in communication today with the hon. Member concerned to find out why there has been a delay and to expedite matters.