§ Mr. Dennis Canavan (West Stirlingshire)On a genuine point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it in order for the Secretary of State for Scotland to present a Bill to the House this afternoon when it appears that some bodies outside the House have already anticipated the passing of that Bill? I refer to the Education (Scotland) (No. 2) Bill, which is listed for presentation this afternoon in the name of the Secretary of State for Scotland and which, among other things, proposes to spend millions of pounds of public money on an assisted places scheme for private, privileged, fee-paying schools. From information that I hove received it seems that at least one school in Scotland—Dundee high school—has already sent out preliminary application forms.
Is it in order for outside bodies such as Dundee high school to anticipate the passing of legislation in this House before the House of Commons has had the opportunity to debate and to vote upon the matter?
§ Mr. SpeakerI do not know enough about the matter that the hon. Gentleman has raised to give him a reasoned reply, but I will, of course, consider it.