HC Deb 14 April 1981 vol 3 cc155-6
Mr. Albert Booth (Barrow-in-Furness)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. My point of order concerns the motion in the name of the Leader of the House and the amendment to it in the names of my hon. Friends and myself.

When the Bill left the House it did not have within it any clause relating to the subject of seat belts. It has returned from the Committee stage with such a clause—a limited clause, namely, clause 27. We have sought, through the Business Committee of the House, to reach an agreement with the Government that would enable new clause 3, which is also concerned with seat belts, to be debated within the guillotine timetable.

May I ask you for your guidance whether, in view of the change in the scope of the Bill that has occurred between its leaving the Chamber on Second Reading and coming back here, it would be in order for the House, on the amendment tabled by my hon. Friends and myself, to determine whether it wishes to consider the wider subject of seat belts in that context?

Mr. Speaker

I am unable to accept the amendment tabled by the right hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Mr. Booth) because the House has instructed me that I have to put the Question forthwith, under Standing Order No. 43, and I have no choice in the matter. But if the debate is conducted in such a way that the subject is reached it will be possible for the House to discuss the matter of seat belts, which I know is of considerable interest to a large number of right hon. and hon. Members.

Mr. David Ennals (Norwich, North)

Further to the point of order, Mr. Speaker. There is a new clause, signed by 126 right hon. and hon. Members from both sides of the House. Do you not feel that the House would bring itself into disrepute if on this occasion it were not to vote one way or the other on an issue that has been before the House eight times, and on which the House has voted three times by an overwhelming majority? Would it not be to the great disadvantage of the House if it were not to vote on it, quite apart from the interests of about 500 people a year whose lives could be saved by the wearing of seat belts?

Mr. Speaker

We are now using debating time. I hope that the House will be able to reach the subject.

Mr. Arthur Lewis (Newham, North-West)

Further to the point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. My right hon. Friend the Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Mr. Booth) has made a speech that was not relevant to the motion, which should be put forthwith. There are other arguments that could be put on the subject. I could have pointed out that my right hon. Friend was a Minister for many years and did nothing about the question. Am I to be allowed to debate the fact that when these Ministers are in power they do nothing and that as soon as they leave office they want to put the world right? I could have obtained 300 signatures had I wished to do so.

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is not the first time that the hon. Gentleman has come to my aid. I am deeply grateful. The Question is, That the report from the Business Committee be now considered.

Mr. Robert Adley (Christchurch and Lymington)

rose——

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman is only holding up the business.

Mr. Adley

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. This is a procedural point. I shall not enter upon the merits of the argument about seat belts. A timetable motion for the Bill was agreed by the House. Subsequently, as the right hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Mr. Booth) said, this new item appeared——

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman seeks to pursue a matter on which I have already ruled.

Question agreed to.

Ordered, That the Report [6 April] from the Business Committee be now considered.—[Mr. Fowler.]

Report considered accordingly.

Question, That this House doth agree with the Committee in their resolution put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 43 (Business Committee) and agreed to.

Following is the report of the Business Committee: That—

  1. (1) the order in which proceedings on consideration are taken shall be New Clauses, Amendments to Clauses 1 to 4, Schedule 1, Clauses 5 to 14, Schedules 2 to 4, Clauses 15 to 18, Schedules 5 and 6, Clauses 19 to 22, Schedule 7, Clauses 23 and 24, Clauses 25 to 28, Schedules 8 and 9, Clauses 29 to 35 and Schedules 10 and 11 and New Schedules;
  2. (2) the proceedings on the day which under the Order [9 March] is allotted to consideration and Third Reading shall be divided into the parts shown in the Table set out below and, subject to the provisions of that Order, each part shall, if not previously brought to a conclusion, be brought to a conclusion at the time specified in the second column of that Table.

Proceedings Time for conclusion of proceedings
New Clauses. 5.00 p.m.
Amendments up to the end of Schedule 1. 6.30 p.m.
Amendments up to the end of Schedule 4. 8.00 p.m.
Amendments up to the end of Schedule 6. 9.30 p.m.
Amendments up to the end of Clause 24. 11.00 p.m.
Remaining proceedings on consideration. —
Third Reading. 1.00 a.m.