§ 5.9 pm
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You will recall that before July we had one or two discussions in the House about the propriety of the private Bill procedure as it affected the North Killingholme Cargo Terminal Bill and the Associated British Ports (No. 2) Bill and about whether Members with an interest could serve on the Committee. For instance, because the National Union of Mineworkers opposed the legislation, sponsored members of the union would hardly be likely to serve on the Committee.
It has been drawn to my attention that a former member of the private Bill Committee on the North Killingholme Cargo Terminal Bill, the hon. Member for Luton, South (Mr. Bright), has now become a PPS, so he has been taken off the Committee and a substitute found. This matter should be considered again because of the complications resulting from the appointment of the new Chairman.
Simon Engineering is the company that sponsors the North Killingholme Cargo Terminal Bill. That company's subsidiary, Simon Carves, is part of the British Chemical Engineering Contractors Association. The parliamentary 1042 adviser to that association is none other than the Member who has replaced the hon. Member for Luton, South—the hon. Member for Rochford (Dr. Clark).
We must look into this matter. I suggest that the present Chairman should not be able to preside over this private Bill Committee. It would be better for all concerned if this murky private Bill procedure were abandoned, together with these two Bills, because of the complications which have arisen during the past six months.
§ Mr. SpeakerI think that that matter should correctly and properly be drawn to the attention of the Chairman of the Committee of Selection. That is what the hon. Member should do. We must now move on.
§ Mr. Frank Dobson (Holborn and St. Pancras)Surely, Mr. Speaker, an alleged breach of the Standing Orders applying to private Bills is a matter that is reasonably addressed to you. Members who become members of opposed private Bill Committees are required to sign a declaration saying that they have no personal or constituency interest in those matters. It is perfectly legitimate for my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) to bring this point to your attention at the earliest opportunity, and that is what he did.
§ Mr. SpeakerI do not appoint Members to chair private Bill Committees. I shall look into the question of whether a declaration has been signed. I fully accept that this is an important matter.
§ Mr. SkinnerThe reason for the urgency is simple. The private Bill Committee has been set up and will meet in the next few days. I suggest that the matter must be dealt with as soon as possible.
§ Mr. SpeakerSo far as my responsibility is concerned, I give an undertaking that I shall look into the matter.