Point of Order (Hansard, 6 May 1988)

§ Mr. Michael Jopling (Westmorland and Lonsdale)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You will know that, earlier this week, I asked for permission to present a petition to the House at this stage. It is the result of my constituents' serious concern at the proposed closure of a school at Coniston. It is a substantial petition. I understand that a further 11 petitions have been put down for presentation this morning.
You will recall, Mr. Speaker, that I was Government Chief Whip for four years and therefore I know what is likely to delay the business of the day. I do not wish my petition to be the cause of us not moving to the principal business of the day as soon as possible. I am sure that my constituents do not wish their petition to be the cause of the House being delayed in getting to the business. Therefore, I believe that it would be right for me not to present my petition. Although I am not prepared to support the——

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. This should be a point of order, not an explanation.

§ Mr. Jopling
I am not prepared to support the Abortion (Amendment) Bill as it is, but, despite that, I believe that it would he right for me not to present my petition this morning, nor do I want the Clerk to read out what is a fairly substantial document. I believe that we should move to the principal business of the day as soon as possible and I hope that all those other hon. Members with petitions will take the same course as myself.

§ Mr. Dave Nellist (Coventry, South-East)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Before you give your ruling on the point of order raised by the right hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Mr. Jopling), I ask you to take into account the fact that this morning's business is extremely important—and I do not say that from a purely personal point of view. It may well be, as has happened to me on a number of occasions—not least this week—that not every hon. Member who wishes to express their constituents' views is called during the debate. Therefore, those of us who have come here this morning with their constituents' views put down in a procedurally proper parliamentary petition should at least be allowed to put those petitions forward this morning—especially if we do not get the chance to express our arguments in a speech.

§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I believe that it would be fair to say that, even on a well-attended Friday morning such as today, it is important that the tradition of presenting petitions to the House of Commons should be maintained. 1144 You will have noticed, Mr. Speaker, that the other night there was an attempt by the Leader of the House, who is present today, to introduce a curbing motion to stop petitions being presented. It was objected to and time will have to be found for a parliamentary debate on the matter. Perhaps time could have been allocated this morning—that would have occupied even more time—but some of us are not into that type of tactic.
My request is fundamentally important. I notice this morning that Sir John Banham, the director general of the Confederation of British Industry, is requesting that the Rowntree takeover should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. That has nothing to do with me.

§ Mr. Skinner
I want a statement.

§ Mr. Speaker
That, too, has nothing to do with me.

§ Mr. Harry Cohen (Leyton)
I want to raise a genuine point of order—[Interruption.] I was not casting aspersions on anyone and I am sure that all the points of order have been genuine. I tread tactfully.
My point of order relates to your role, Mr. Speaker, as custodian of Back-Benchers' rights. Having scrutinised the amendments to the Abortion (Amendment) Bill, you will be aware that amendment No. 47 stands in my name. That amendment is genuine and important, and I wanted to refer to it during the debate.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. It would not be in order for the hon. Gentleman to raise that matter. I have made my selection and I do not intend to change it.

§ Mr. Cohen
I appreciate that, Mr. Speaker. However, will you reconsider the selections that you have made at some stage during the debate? I should have thought that it was possible for another cluster of amendments to be grouped together for debate. I would hope that it might include my amendment No. 47, which is very important in terms of doctors being sued for negligence and damages. I ask you to consider that during the debate.

Several Hon. Members
rose——

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. In relation to all the points of order I must state that, as the right hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Mr. Jopling) said, the main business today is a very important Bill on which I believe the House wants to reach a decision.
I note that the right hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale does not propose to present his petition. Perhaps others will follow suit. However, I have no authority to stop petitions being presented, as the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) has explained.
Perhaps it would be helpful if I were to remind the House that, under Standing Order No. 132, hon. Members presenting a petition must confine themselves to a statement of the parties from whom it comes, the number of signatures attached to it, and the material allegations that it contains and to reading the prayer to the petition. Hon. Members should not read the whole petition or make a speech about it. I call Ms. Primarolo.

§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennett (Denton and Reddish)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I have called for the presentation of the petitions. I will take points of order afterwards.