§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bernard Weatherill)It might be for the convenience of the House if the Leader of the House were to make his business statement now.
§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. John Biffen)On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I should like to make a short business statement.
In the light of Mr. Speaker's decision this afternoon to grant the application under Standing Order No. 9 on Monday 14 February, it will be proposed that the private Members' motions set down for consideration until 7 o'clock will be proceeded with on a future occasion.
The business for Monday will now therefore be as follows:
Debate on the Adjournment motion under Standing Order No. 9 on the water dispute.
Second Reading of the Miscellaneous Financial Provisions Bill.
At 7 o'clock, consideration of opposed private business which has been named by the Chairman of Ways and Means.
§ Mr. John Silkin (Deptford)Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Will the Leader of the House confirm that it is not his intention that the private Members' motions, which will be deferred because of the successful Standing Order No. 9 application, will take place on a day other than a Monday? It is of importance to the House. I do not believe that it is an order of the House, but it is a long-standing convention, that such motions are debated on a Monday.
§ Mr. BiffenFurther to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Certainly it is a tradition and custom that private Members' motions are debated on a Monday. I shall certainly bear in mind the point made by the right hon. Gentleman when I consider the alternative date.
§ Mr. Bob Cryer (Keighley)Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Will the Second Reading of the Miscellaneous Financial Provisions Bill be taken after 10 o'clock? There will be little room for that Bill before 7 o'clock if the Standing Order No. 9 debate lasts for three hours and starts at approximately 4 o'clock.
§ Mr. BiffenFurther to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Yes, that is so, but it is conceivable, although I am not saying it is likely, that the opposed private business might be concluded in less than the three hours which will be allowed.