§ Mr. Michael English (Nottingham, West)On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Item 26 on the Order Paper is not Government business. It is starred on the Order Paper as if it were. It is private Members' business, and this is a day when Government business takes precedence but has no absolute right. If the Government do not wish to move the items up to No. 25 on the Order Paper that is their business. I am glad to see that the Government Chief Whip is in his place. I should like to ask him whether he would give the Queen's Consent to the Second Reading of the Succession to the Crown Bill.
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Ernest Armstrong)I understand that leaving the star off against item No. 4 is a printer's error. I am informed that it is Government business.
§ Mr. EnglishThe Succession to the Crown Bill is not Government business. It is my business. It is a Private Member's Bill. I am pointing out that there has been an error—that it has a star, but that it is not Government business.
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerThat may be, but the hon. Gentleman cannot move his motion now.
§ Mr. EnglishIt is only that Government business has precedence. If the Government do not wish to take any matter up to item 25 on the Order Paper, that is their privilege, but it is well before the time for unopposed business. I wish to move the Second Reading of my Bill, and there is a Privy Councillor here who is able to give the necessary Queen's Consent.
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerI am not willing to accept the hon. Gentleman's motion.