HC Deb 23 February 1990 vol 167 c1241

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members

Object.

Second Reading deferred until Friday 4 May.

Mr. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North)

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Today's business has been delayed by a number of factors, not least the intervention of the hon. Member for Esher (Mr. Taylor), who prevented the Bill introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson) from completing its Second Reading. My Bill on eliminating poverty in retirement—or a similar Bill—has appeared on the Order Paper for the past seven years, but it has always been denied a debate, usually by the Trappist tendency on the Treasury Bench. I should he grateful if, in the new spirit of glasnost throughout the House, you would be prepared to reveal the identity of the Trappist who objected, so that my Bill, which would help millions of pensioners, might be debated in the House.

Madam Deputy Speaker

The hon. Gentleman is aware that the Chair has no authority to identify hon. Members who object to Bills.

Mr. Skinner

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Will you confirm that we are both getting on a bit, you and I—

Madam Deputy Speaker

Order. Certainly not. The hon. Member for Bolsover may be getting on a bit, but the hon. Member for West Bromwich, West is not. What is the hon. Gentleman's point of order?

Mr. Skinner

I shall rephrase my remarks if you resist those blandishments, Madam Deputy Speaker. I am concerned, not about myself and other hon. Members who get a good fat pension when they retire, but about all those pensioners who would have been helped by the Bill tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) had the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Fallon) not prevented that Bill from having a Second Reading.