§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Second Reading deferred till Friday 9 December.
§ Mr. Laurie Pavitt (Brent, South)On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Last week, the Chair kindly undertook to refer to Mr. Speaker for guidance certain matters arising out of the procedures that have operated in this place for many years. Has there been any further communication as a result of that reference to the Chair or the Select Committee on Procedure? Originally, when the Government did not want a Bill the Government Whips objected from the Whips' Bench. That procedure seems to have changed. The point that was raised last week was whether Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Back Benchers, would seek the advice of the Select Committee on this vexed question about which many hon. Members on both sides of the House are concerned.
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Paul Dean)I am grateful to the hon. Member for the way in which he has raised that point. The matter was reported to Mr. Speaker. As I believe that the hon. Gentleman and the House know, however, no Select Committee on Procedure has been set up. Even if the House decided to set one up, that would be a matter for the House to decide. It is not for Mr. Speaker to decide what matters the House should consider and what recommendations the Committee should eventually bring before the House for decision.