HC Deb 27 June 1980 vol 987 cc942-4
Mr. Speaker

By leave of the House I shall put together the questions on the motions relating to statutory instruments.

Mr. Greville Janner (Leicester, West)

Object.

Mr. Speaker

In that case I shall have to put them separately.

Ordered, That the Representation of the People (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1980 be referred to a Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c.—[Mr. Berry.]

Ordered, That the Representation of the People (Amendment) Regulations 1980 be referred to a Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c.—[Mr. Berry.]

Ordered, That the Elections (Welsh Forms) Regulations 1980 be referred to a Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c.—[Mr. Berry.]

Motion made, and Question put forthwith pursuant to Standing Order No. 73A (Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c.), That the draft Agricultural and Horticultural Co-operation (Variation) Scheme 1980 be referred to a Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c.—[Mr. Berry.]

The House proceeded to a Division—

Mr. Speaker

There being no Tellers for the Noes, the Ayes have it.

Question accordingly agreed to.

Motion made, and Question put forthwith pursuant to Standing Order No. 73A (Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c.), That the draft Eurocontrol (Immunities and Privileges) (Amendment) Order 1980 be referred to a Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c.—[Mr. Berry.]

The House divided: Ayes 24, Noes 0.

Division No. 377] AYES [9.40 am
Berry, Hon Anthony Fox, Marcus Rees-Davies, W. R.
Best, Keith Jessel, Toby Steen, Anthony
Biggs-Davison, John Jopling, Rt Hon Michael Stewart, Ian (Hitchin)
Bottomley, Peter (Woolwich West) Lang, Ian Stewart, John (East Renfrewshire)
Brittan, Leon Le Merchant, Spencer Walker, Bill (Perth & E Perthshire)
Chapman, Sydney Lyell, Nicholas
Clarke, Kenneth (Rushcliffe) Macfarlane, Neil TELLERS FOR THE AYES:
Critchley, Julian Miller, Hal (Bromsgrove & Redditch) Mr. Carol Mather and
Dykes, Hugh Neubert, Micheal Mr. Peter Brooke
Fairgrieve, Russell
NOES
Nil
TELLERS FOR THE NOES:
Mr. Geraint Howells and
Mr. Greville Janner.
Mr. Speaker

Since it appears from the result of the Division that 40 Members are not present, I declare that the Question is not decided. The business therefore stands over until the next sitting.

Mr. Michael English (Nottingham, West)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Could we send for the Leader of the House to explain this laziness or incompetence on the part of the governing party? Have they all overslept? Cannot they get up in the morning to get their own business through?

Mr. Speaker

Those of us who are here are full of virtue—by accident.

Mr. Greville Janner

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I draw your attention to the manner in which the two draft statutory instruments were placed before the House at the last minute on a matter of very great importance? In particular, even the amendment of the title of the last two instruments is incorrect, the word "Diplomatic" having been omitted before the words "Immunities and Privileges". The wording is therefore wholly misleading.

May I ask, Mr. Speaker, that you give your direction that in future the House should have the opportunity to consider these important matters in advance, even if it is expected that they will go through on the nod?

Mr. Speaker

I understand that there has been no breach of rule. The usual custom has been followed this morning. The items on the Order Paper are in the customary wording.