HC Deb 22 April 1988 vol 131 c1166

Order for Second Reading read

Hon. Members

Object.

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Harold Walker)

Objection taken. Second Reading what day?

Mr. Ray Powell (Ogmore)

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I cannot understand why the hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) should object to the Bill when Conservative Members have appended their signatures to an early-day motion signed by 260 Members in support of the Bill. In addition, this morning I presented a petition signed by 8,500 grandparents—

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman cannot make the speech that he might have made had he had time to debate his Bill. On the matter of hon. Members shouting out objection, it requires only a single objection, no matter how many hon. Members have appended their names to an early-day motion, and the Bill has to be deferred. Second Reading what day?

Mr. Powell

Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. May I seek your guidance? I appreciate what you said about one hon. Member objecting to the Bill. However, throughout the time that I have attempted to get this Bill on the statute book I have not heard one hon. Member, from either side of the House, object to the Bill. I cannot—

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. I distinctly heard an hon. Member shout "Object" today, so there is at least one hon. Member who is opposed to it. I must ask the hon. Gentleman to give a date for Second Reading.

Second Reading deferred till Friday 20 May.