§ Mr. Ray Powell (Ogmore)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am very grateful to you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to raise this point of order as I think it will be of great assistance to the House and its proceedings.
The Public Order Bill is in Committee at present, but we are still awaiting some of the Hansard reports for last Thursday. As you well know, Mr. Speaker, most Committees are behind in the production of the records of their proceedings. I raise this point in connection with the future business of the House as I believe that the proceedings of Committees will be further delayed if action is not taken. I notice on page 334 of the Votes and Proceedings that notification of the First Reading of the Shops Bill [Lords] has been laid on the Table, and that page 1954 of the Order Paper shows that Second Reading of the Bill is to come before the House.
You will understand, Mr. Speaker, that these Bills will create further pressure on Committees and on the Official Report.
As we had a statement from the Minister of State, Home Office on Monday, in which he declared that 310 letters were recorded for and 37,370 letters were recorded against the Shops Bill, can you intervene, Mr. Speaker, to persuade the Government to block the Bill altogether and save the time of the House?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is patently not a matter for me. If the hon. Gentleman so wishes, and if he catches my eye, he should direct questions on that matter to the Leader of the House on business questions.