§ Mr. John McAllion (Dundee, East)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. On Wednesday 31 January, I presented a petition to the House calling for a ban on Rottweilers and other breeds of dogs as domestic pets. I told the House that 15,000 signatures had been gathered in support of it. I now recognise that that statement was wrong and that those 15,000 signatures were gathered in support of a separate petition calling for general legislation to control dogs. I wish to set the record straight on that matter.
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is very good of the hon. Gentleman. I am sure that note will be taken of that.
§ Mr. Harry Barnes (Derbyshire, North-East)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. During business questions, I mentioned a leaflet on student top-up loans, which we are to debate. The leaflet was available to hon. Members on the board two days ago. It sets out the provisions of the Bill and pre-empts the debate that we are about to have. To cover itself, it says only:
The provisions of the Bill are open to amendment in Parliament. Some features of the scheme described below may consequently change.The problem is that there is no opportunity for this to be distributed anywhere until we have had a discussion later today and moved to Third Reading. The Department of Education and Science is just assuming that the position of the Government will be carried and we will lose all the amendments that we have tabled.On those grounds, I think that there should he a ruling.
§ Mr. SpeakerI do not think that I can give a ruling on that. It is a matter for the House to decide whether to accept or reject an amendment.
§ Mr. James Pawsey (Rugby and Kenilworth)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I congratulate the Department on the production of this most excellent leaflet.
§ Mr. SpeakerWould the hon. Member mind doing that during the course of the debate, because it is not a matter of order within the Chamber?
§ Mr. Richard Tracey (Surbiton)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. As the guardian of access to this House, would you inquire from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis or the superintendent in charge of the area surrounding the Palace of Westminster about the arrangements that were made at midday and in the early afternoon to close roads along which we can gain access to the House? I understand from radio bulletins that this was caused by hundreds of coaches depositing thousands of students at Battersea park, I believe, so that they could begin a march relating to the matter that we are about to discuss. It seems to me that it is very serious when so many major roads, particularly the Embankment, are closed. This causes severe damage to the economy of London and to the free passage of the citizens of London. Can you inquire into this, Mr. Speaker?
§ Mr. SpeakerIs the hon. Member alleging that he was prevented from getting to the House, because that is what the Sessional Orders are concerned with? They do not cover the other citizens of our metropolis.
§ Mr. TraceyFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I was indeed diverted on my passage to the House and it caused me considerable inconvenience.
§ Mr SpeakerI will look into it.
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)Would you also confirm, Mr. Speaker, that it is one of your general duties to see that not only Members of Parliament are able to get to this place but also constituents, when it is necessary for them to come and lobby this place? If 25,000 students have joined together in a demonstration against this Bill on student loans, the only regret I have is that they were diverted the wrong way round the west end of London. They should have finished at Westminster bridge and shut the—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. My responsibility is the Sessional Orders, although of course it is a citizen's right to lobby Parliament.