Health and Medicines Bill (Hansard, 1 November 1988)

HC Deb 01 November 1988 vol 139 c843 843

§ Lords amendments considered.

4.58 pm

§ Mr. Robin Maxwell-Hyslop (Tiverton)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I think it would be generally agreed that it is very difficult for hon. Members to relate what is actually happening to the various papers before them today. I do not expect you to reply to me substantially today, but my question is this. Does it lie within your power to order that the paper called "Consideration of Lords Amendments" be consolidated with the actual list of Lords amendments, so that we know what action is proposed by amendment in the case of each Lords amendment rather than having two different papers relating to the Bill? Or does it require a positive examination and report by the Procedure Committee before such action can be taken? I respectfully submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that the chaotic papers today give the best example there could ever be of the need for reform of this matter so that hon. Members actually know what they are doing.

Mr.Speaker
The hon. Gentleman is right. The House often feels that it is difficult to relate the amendments to the Lords amendments when they are on separate papers. I shall look into what the hon. Gentleman has said with a view to seeing if there is anything I can do in the matter. If I cannot do anything, the matter might be referred to the Select Committee on Procedure with a view to changing the practice. Today, however, as we proceed, the occupant of the Chair will make it as clear as possible what amendments we are debating and relate them to the Lords amendments.
The first Lords amendment falling for debate this afternoon is Lords amendment No. 1. I must inform the House that the amendment is affected by privilege. With this it will be convenient to discuss Lords amendments Nos. 2 to 4 and Lords amendments Nos. 36, 37 and 44.