§ Mr. Anthony Nelson (Chichester)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I raise a matter about which I gave notice to your Office this morning, namely, the inclusion in the Order Paper today of a note stating that a large number of further added names to some 30 early-day motions and eight amendments have not been published, although I believe it is hoped to print them tomorrow.
You, Mr. Speaker, above all, will be well aware that the tabling and endorsing of early-day motions are rights cherished by Back Benchers. Although some may feel that the force of early-day motions has been slightly diluted recently by their number and the content of some of them, nevertheless the House would appreciate your advice about how this situation arose and an assurance about how we can ensure that further added names are printed properly in future.
§ Mr. SpeakerI too observed the Order Paper this morning, and I have looked into the matter. The House will have noticed that last night an unusually large number of early-day motions were put down; there were 11 in all, and nine of them were put down during the Division at 10 o'clock. Several of these attracted a large number of signatures. As a result, it was not possible to print all the added names to the earlier motions but, as the hon. Gentleman said, these will be published tomorrow.
It would be a great help to the Table Office if hon. Members could hand in such motions as early in the day as possible so that they can reach the printer in good time. Of course, additional names to new motions can be put into the Table Office at any time up to the rising of the House. By this means, I hope that what happened last night will be avoided in future.