HC Deb 14 February 1986 vol 91 cc1255-6

Order read for resuming adjourned debate on Question —[7th February]—That the Bill be now read a Second time.

Hon. Members

Object.

Second Reading what day?

No day named.

Mr. Corbyn

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Can you advise the House of the names of the hon. Members who objected to the Second Reading of the Bill which I tried to introduce, namely, the Pensioners' Right to Heat, Light and Communications Bill? It is important that people in this country know who is objecting to some of these important measures—

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. This matter is raised on a number of Fridays. It is not necessary for an hon. Member to stand in his place to object. The Chair must carry out the rules.

Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)

Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. There is a way in which to resolve the problem, and which would prevent your being placed in such an invidious position on successive Fridays, when Tory millionaires come to the House masquerading as Whips to stop pensioners obtaining their right to fuel.

We should examine ways and means to deal with this matter through the appropriate Committee, so that anyone who objects to such a Bill must be named in Hansard. Will you consider requesting the Committee to deal with the matter?

Mr. Deputy Speaker

It is up to any Member to approach the Committee, or for any member of the Committee to raise the matter.

Mr. Laurie Pavitt (Brent, South)

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Many of your predecessors have faced this problem on a Friday. On one occasion the Chair, in reply to an Opposition question, stated, as you have today, that the matter must be pursued through other channels. Do you have any knowledge of the matter having been raised through any other channels? If so, is there any way in which an hon. Member objecting to a private Member's Bill can be required to declare any interest?

Mr. Deputy Speaker

I understand that the matter has been considered by the Committee. In the end, it is a matter for the House. The Chair is governed by the rules of the House. I have no doubt that the exchanges today will have been noted by those who wish to raise the matter again.