Local Government and Planning (Scotland) Bill (Hansard, 4 May 1982)

§ Mr. George Foulkes (South Ayrshire)
On a point: of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. New clause 5 does not appear in Mr. Speaker's provisional selection of amendment3. I hesitate to criticise the judgment of a Speaker for whom I have great respect, but can representations be made to him during the course of what might be a lengthy evening? Six hon. Members support new clause 5, whereas amendments supported by only one hon. Member have been called. My hon. Friend the Member for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire (Mr. O'Neill), the Opposition spokesman on this matter, expressed his support: for the new clause.
The bill gives the Secretary of State power to order major cutbacks in local authority education, but a subsidy of more than £2 million will continue for private schools in Scotland through the rate subsidy. The matter was not discussed in Committee and it would, therefore, seem appropriate for it to be discussed on Report.
Can you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, or the Clerk of the House, make further representations to Mr. Speaker to see whether his provisional selection of amendments can be altered to include new clause 5?

§ Mr. Ernie Ross (Dundee, West)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I agree that we do not wish to question Mr. Speaker's selection, but one of the new clauses that has been selected, in the name of the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, East (Mr. McQuarrie) and relating to dog control, took up a considerable amount of time in Committee, whereas new clause 5 was not discussed in Committee. I support my hon. Friend the Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Foulkes) in asking that further representations be made to Mr. Speaker during the debate.

§ Mr. Albert McQuarrie (Aberdeenshire, East)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The new clause on dog control to which the hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross) refers was not called for debate in Committee.

§ Mr. John Maxton (Glasgow, Cathcart)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, this matter is the subject of a clause in another Bill that is now before the House and it seems odd——

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bernard Weatherill)
Order. The point of order to me was about new clause 5, not new clause 4. I think I must say to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Foulkes) that I understand that representations have already been made to Mr. Speaker to reconsider his selection to include new clause 5, but he came to the conclusion that he could not propose to alter the selection already made.

§ Mr. Foulkes
Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. While I accept what you have said, is it not possible to make further representations and to indicate that a number of hon. Members, including my hon. 47 Friends the Members for Berwick and East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson), Kilmarnock (Mr. McKelvey), Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Maxton) and Dundee, West (Mr. Ross), support those representations? If it were made clear to Mr. Speaker that a substantial body of opinion in the House would like to discuss new clause 5, he might. in the spirit of tolerance and amiability that I know he has towards Scotland and Scottish Members, make an exception on this occasion. Would it be possible to make such representations?

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker
The hon. Gentleman has put his case very reasonably. I shall gladly draw this matter to the attention of Mr. Speaker once again, but I do not know what his reaction will be.

§ Mr. John Home Robertson (Berwick and East Lothian)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker——

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker
Order. There cannot be a further point of order. I have already said that I shall again draw the matter to the attention of Mr. Speaker.

§ Mr. Home Robertson
On a fresh point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I am not trying to waste time. However, when you hear from Mr. Speaker, will you be prepared to make a statement to the House?

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker
Before we reach the new clause I shall, of course, let the House know of Mr. Speaker's decision.