ADJOURNMENT (Hansard, 4 August 1980)

Several Hon. Members
rose—

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine)
Order.

Hon. Members
Resign.

Mr. Deputy Speaker
The Question is, That this House do now adjourn.

§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Norman St. John-Stevas)
rose—

Several Hon. Members
rose—

§ Mr. Ted Graham (Edmonton)
The motion has been moved.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I have the advantage that I have not been in the Chamber. I gather that something has upset someone. Mr. Michael Foot.

§ Mr. St. John-Stevas
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. It is not strictly necessary, under our rules of procedure, to have a business statement, but it may be for the convenience of the House that hon. Members should know the Government's intention in relation to—

Hon. Members
No.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I am listening to a point of order. I have not adjourned.

§ Mr. St. John-Stevas
I am speaking on a point of order, Mr. Speaker. It is the intention of the Government to set down for tomorrow the business that was set down for today, in addition to the business for tomorrow.

Hon. Members
Out out.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I hope that we shall not have chanting in this place. Mr. Michael Foot.

§ Mr. Michael Foot (Ebbw Vale)
It is true, Mr. Speaker, that you were out of the House when these incidents happened, but from the point of view of good order in the House, the position is clear. The motion was moved for the Adjournment of the House. The motion has been carried. Either we proceed on that basis or I do not know how we would proceed. However, the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the House rose on a point of order to say that he wished to give to the House an indication of business for tomorrow.
It is my submission to you, Mr. Speaker, especially in the light of what occurred earlier, that any announcement about future business should be made at the beginning of tomorrow's business. That would be the normal proceeding. I suggest that the Leader of the House and the Government should come forward in the normal manner at the beginning of tomorrow's proceedings and make a statement then about the future business of the House.
It would not be in order, on a point of order, for the Leader of the House to make a statement about tomorrow's business. I therefore urge most strongly that in these circumstances the best course for the House is to stick to its normal rules. The Government will then have time to make up their minds what they wish to propose to the House in the normal way at the beginning of tomorrow's business.

§ Mr. St. John-Stevas
Further to the point of order that I originally raised with you, Mr. Speaker. There is no need for the Government to have more time to consider the matter. We have made up our mind. We shall put down this business tomorrow.

Hon. Members
No.

§ Mr. Speaker
The Question is, That this House do now adjourn.
As many as are of that opinion say "Aye".

Hon. Members
Aye.

§ Mr. Speaker
To the contrary, "No".

Hon. Members
No. [Interruption.]

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I am also the recipient of advice, and the advice is that hon. Members cannot vote now.

§ Mr. Walter Harrison (Wakefield)
We are on the Adjournment.

§ Mr. Michael Mates (Petersfield)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In that case, is it not in order for an hon. Member to address the House for 30 minutes on the Adjournment? [Interruption.]

§ Mr. St. John-Stevas
rose—

Hon. Members
No.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. It is so—but it is also in my power to say that the House stands adjourned, and I think that that is the best thing that I can do. The House now stands adjourned.