§ Mr. Robert N. Wareing (Liverpool, West Derby)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You will be aware that in the House of Commons last week the clause in the Health and Medicines Bill relating to eye tests was carried by a small majority and that that Bill has now gone to the other place. There has been some suggestion that, because of the finances involved in relation to payment for eye tests, the Bill cannot be considered and fully reviewed by the other place in the normal way.
Can you, Mr. Speaker, state categorically that when the Bill first went from this House to the other place it was designated by you as not being a money Bill, and therefore the other place is fully entitled to reject the decision of the House of Commons should it desire to do so? Is it not also correct that it would be possible for the Bill to pass between the two Houses many times? I believe that, for example, what is now the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act 1977 passed between the Houses no fewer than eight times. Is it not the case that the other place has complete freedom to reject the decision taken last Tuesday in this House?
§ Mr. SpeakerI did not certify it as a money Bill, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, during the debate I made a statement about the status of the amendments.