§ Mr. Peter Shore (Bethnal Green and Stepney)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. At the end of our exchanges at 3.30 pm yesterday on last Friday's lost business, the Lord Privy Seal offered discussions through the usual channels. Can he inform the House today of the progress made in those discussions with a view to restoring last Friday's lost Back-Bench Members' time? Meanwhile, and until those important matters are resolved, will the right hon. Gentleman agree not to move the motions relating to the Finance Bill on the Order Paper today?
§ The Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. John Biffen)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Discussions on this matter took place at a late hour last night and are continuing to take place through the usual channels. It will be the Government's intention not to move the motions relating to the Finance Bill at the end of business tonight but to take them tomorrow night. I am hopeful that, if the Leader of the Opposition asked at business questions on Thursday, it may be possible for me to give a positive response to the matter which the right hon. Member for Bethnal Green and Stepney (Mr. Shore) has just raised.