HC Deb 14 April 1989 vol 150 cc1223-5

Order for Second Reading read.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Second Reading what day?

Mr. Harry Cohen (Leyton)

Now.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

The Question is, That the Bill be now read a Second time.

Hon. Members

Object.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Objection taken. Second Reading what day?

Mr. Cohen

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. We must deal with this first. I asked, Second Reading what day?

Mr. Cohen

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Under the procedures of the House, I moved the Bill and there was no objection. You should have said that the Bill had been given a Second Reading, and the next stage would have been the Committee stage, but you did not do that.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. I can deal quickly with the hon. Gentleman's point. An objection at any time during the proceedings is in order. It does not necessarily have to be when the title of the Bill is first read out. There was an objection as soon as I put the Question on Second Reading. Consequently I asked the hon. Gentleman "Second Reading what day?"

Mr. Cohen

Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Can it be right——

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. There can be no further points of order.

Mr. Cohen

rose——

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. I have explained the procedure to the hon. Gentleman. He has heard the explanation on more than one occasion at 2.30. I repeat that when I put the Question on Second Reading objection was taken. According to our procedure, that means that the Bill is not able to proceed. All that I am then able to do is to ask the hon. Gentleman to name a day for Second Reading.

Mr. Tony Banks (Newham, North-West)

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Will you explain exactly how we move through the various stages of a private Member's Bill? As I understand it, if no objection is taken when the mover has nominated today for Second Reading, we have moved on to the Second Reading stage. If there was no objection, we should have moved on to Committee——

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. I understand the hon. Gentleman's point. In this case, the objection was made when I put the Question on Second Reading. Had the Question been agreed to, the Bill would have received a Second Reading. But the objection was taken before that stage was reached and as a consequence the objection stands.

Mr. Corbyn

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. I shall listen to the hon. Gentleman, but I remind him that we have other business. We have been through this on many occasions on Fridays. I understand the frustration of hon. Members, but I must remind them that the Select Committee on Procedure looked at the matter fairly carefully and they may wish to refresh their minds and look at the reasons that the Select Committee gave for not recommending alterations to our procedures.

Mr. Corbyn

I share your concern about the procedures, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and I hope that the Select Committee will reconsider the procedure for Friday afternoon objections. We are not dealing with that problem at the moment. My hon. Friend the Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) quite properly and correctly moved the Bill and none of us heard any objection——

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. I distinctly heard objection. Therefore, I said, "Objection taken", as I am obliged to do.

Mr. Corbyn

rose

Mr. Cohen

rose——

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. I shall not listen to any more points of order as they are getting dangerously close to arguments with the judgment of the Chair.