HC Deb 14 April 1989 vol 150 c1214

Order for consideration in Committee read.

1.54 pm
Mr. Ray Whitney (Wycombe)

With the authority of the Member in charge of the Bill, my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. Wiggin), I beg to move, That the Bill be considered in Committee on Friday 28 April.

Mr. Ivor Stanbrook (Orpington)

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. When a Bill is taken out before half-past 2, does that need the leave of the House?

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Paul Dean)

The first Question that is always put is that on when consideration of the Bill is to proceed. It is for the hon. Member in charge of the Bill, or someone else on his behalf, to name a day. The hon. Member for Wycombe named a day, and that procedure is perfectly in order.

Mr. Stanbrook

Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I understand that. That is the procedure which is followed after half-past 2. Does it apply before half-past 2?

Mr. Deputy Speaker

The same procedure applies before half-past 2 to any Order of the Day.

Mr. Stanbrook

Therefore, before half-past 2 it is possible for the motion on the Bill to be moved and for a debate on any stage to proceed. Apparently, it is in your hands, Sir, to put the Question to the House as to when next the Bill will be considered. That is a different matter entirely.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

The Member in charge of the Bill can decide whether he wishes it to proceed. Precisely the same applies to Government Bills. What has happened today on this Bill has been in order.

Mr. Stanbrook

What form of authority from the Member in charge of the Bill is required to enable another Back Bencher to proceed with it? Is there any formality about the passing of that authority?

Mr. Deputy Speaker

On these occasions, the Chair is always prepared to accept the good faith of an hon. Member when he says that he is speaking on behalf of another hon. Member. The Chair accepts that automatically.

Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I should like to move, on behalf of the Prime Minister, that the Bill on Monday to repeal the dock labour scheme be not proceeded with.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

The hon. Member had better wait until Monday and see how he gets on then.