§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That, at this day's sitting, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 3 (Exempted Business), the Motion relating to Immigration may be proceeded with, though opposed, until half-past Two o'clock.—[Mr. Biffen.]
§ Mr. John Stokes (Halesowen and Stourbridge)Before the House considers the motion, may I ask the Leader of the House whether he considers it right that the debate under Standing Order No. 9, which many believe is largely a public relations exercise, should take place before an important debate on the relaxation of the immigration rules, which will affect primary immigration into this country?
Furthermore, if the immigration debate is taken late into the night, it will not be reported in the media. There is also a danger that a number of hon. Members, including perhaps some Opposition Members, may have gone home to bed before the vote is taken.
§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. John Biffen)It is not a fair representation of what we are about to debate to claim that possibly it is a public relations exercise. This is a serious issue. A debate under Standing Order No. 9 was sought and granted—I am sure that judgment is universally accepted throughout the Chamber—and the only matter arising is how we should adjust today's business.
The motion before the House takes account of that emergency debate and ensures that the same timing will be available to debate on the immigration regulations as would have been the case had the application under Standing Order No. 9 not been granted. In the circumstances, this is about as good a judgment as one could make on how we should proceed.
§ Question put and agreed to.