HC Deb 01 May 1987 vol 115 cc550-1

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members

Object.

Mr. Corbyn

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I am not sure who objected to the measure to allow pensioners to live warmly in their homes throughout the winter. Will you convey to the House whether you heard the hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones) once again act on behalf of the Prime Minister to deny that to them?

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that what we are doing now is no different from what normally happens, when the occupant of the Chair puts to the House any Question before it and must collect the voices without necessarily requiring hon. Members either to stand or to identify themselves. That has been explained to the hon. Gentleman and to the House on previous occasions.

Mr. Skinner

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It has just crossed my mind that the other night we had a pensions Bill before us. I think that you were in the Chair at the time. However, it was not intended to cover the needs of the 9.5 million pensioners in the country. It was a parliamentary pensions Bill to provide fuel, light and heat for those who happen to come into this place and, perhaps, manage to occupy the Chair. This is a scandal. It really is a carry-on.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

The hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that that is not a point of order for me, and he knows equally well that he is testing my patience.

Second Reading deferred till Friday 8 May.