Official Secrets Bill (Hansard, 25 January 1989)

§ Mr. Robin Corbett (Birmingham, Erdington)
On a point of order, Mr. Walker. When Bills are considered in Standing Committee, we expect—and normally receive —a Hansard of the proceedings the following day. There are times when, because of the pressures of many Committees, that does not happen, but it is important especially when Ministers give undertakings at the end of a sitting which will follow on into the next sitting. You will know, Mr. Walker, that Hansard normally switches off—if I may put it like that—at about 10 pm or 10.30 pm. Are there any special arrangements that might be made with Hansard to publish the proceedings of the Committee on this Bill the next day, so that we can keep abreast of the undertakings that will, I hope, be given by Ministers? There is no immediate rush about this because this is the only day on which we are considering the Bill this week. However, we do not know whether, in coming weeks, the Committee will meet on one day a week or on consecutive days. That is where the problem arises. Is there anything that you can do, Mr. Walker, to seek to make arrangements with the Official Report to help us in this matter?

§ Mr. Patrick McLoughlin (Derbyshire, West)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Walker. Is not the point of order that the hon. Gentleman has raised fairly bogus? Anything that takes place in the Chamber after Hansard stops is available in the Library for hon. Members to inspect.

§ The Chairman of Ways and Means (Mr. Harold Walker)
I shall deal with the point of order first. I cannot anticipate what may happen at 10 pm this evening or on any other evening, nor can I anticipate or seek to pre-empt what may happen next week. No doubt the hon. Gentleman's words have been listened to.