§
Resolved,
That the draft Housing Support Grant (Scotland) Variation Order 1988, which was laid before this House on 3rd February, be approved.—[Mr. Kenneth Carlisle.]
§ Mr. Bob Cryer (Bradford, South)On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I understand that the Opposition Front Bench is not to move the prayer on the Order Paper. That is due to the fact that the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments has not yet completed its consideration of the relevant order because the Committee 416 has asked the Department for an explanation of the vices of the instrument, which is important. It is important, too, to acknowledge the Opposition's position in ensuring that before a prayer or any other motion on an instrument is debated the Committee has the opportunity to complete its consideration and report to the House.
It is not a Standing Order that an instrument should be debated when it is reported to the House by the Joint Committee, but if the Opposition believe that a prayer should be laid against an instrument the Government should give them time in which to report it to the House. It would be unfair if the Opposition did not move a prayer in order to allow consideration to be completed and the Government did not then allow time for it to be moved in subsequent proceedings.
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Paul Dean)The hon. Gentleman realises that it is not for me to comment on the substance of what he has said. On the procedural point, the House is indebted to him for putting that view on the record.