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Resolved,
That, during the proceedings on the matter of the Future Economy and Environment of North Wales, the Welsh Grand Committee have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it shall meet, and that, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 88 (Meetings of standing committees), the second such sitting shall not commence before 4.00 p.m. nor continue after the Committee has considered the matter for two hours at that sitting—[Mr. Goodlad.]
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§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. After the long debate on the Adjournment following the passing of the Consolidated Fund Bill, the Government—who have a majority of 150 over the Labour party—have failed to move three items of business on the Order Paper. Can you, Mr. Speaker, establish whether the reason for that is that the Government cannot find 40 Tory Members of Parliament to carry those three motions, given that my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Cryer) and I intended to oppose the obnoxious motion on the census?
After a long night of debate, and without any member of the Tory Cabinet being present in the Chamber, the Government are reduced to such a shambles that they cannot get important items of business through this House.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe question whether a motion is moved is not a matter for me.
§ Mr. Bob Cryer (Bradford, South)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. The census order is very unusual because it is part negative and part affirmative, and it is amendable. Obviously, you were unable to call any of the amendments to that motion, but no doubt the Government will be tabling it again. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, to re-examine the amendments and to consider allowing a proper debate on them, as the motion presents the House with a rare opportunity to amend a statutory instrument.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman's request is purely academic, because I have no knowledge whether the motion will be tabled again.