HC Deb 11 December 1992 vol 215 c1173

Order for Second reading read.

Mr. Alan Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston)

I beg to move, That the Question be now put.

Mr. Toby Jessel (Twickenham)

rose——

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Michael Morris)

Order. Is it a point of order?

Mr. Jessel

Yes. Is it in order for the promoter of a Bill to seek to put the Question immediately if hon. Members wish to speak to the Bill?

Mr. Deputy Speaker

The hon. Gentleman was still speaking at 2.30 pm, so the question is, Second Reading what day?

Mr. Miller

Now, Sir.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

No.

Mr. Miller

15 January

Mr. Deputy Speaker

It was a brave attempt.

Mr. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North)

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Has not a mistake been made? If my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller) had risen to move the Second Reading of the Occupational Pensions Bill and was on his feet at 2.30 pm, surely the question of continued debate should be adjourned to another day rather than a new day being requested for a Second Reading debate.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

No. The question had not been proposed from the Chair, so the procedures are entirely in order.

Mr. Corbyn

Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The Clerk had quite properly read the title of the Bill and you asked the promoter to speak to his Bill. He stood and moved that the Bill be now read a Second time, and 2.30 pm arrived; quite properly, you then intervened. If he was on his feet at 2.30 pm, surely the Second Reading is adjourned to another day rather than a new day being named, when the Bill will be lower down the list.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

No. It is not an adjourned debate I had not proposed the Question from the Chair.

Mr. Corbyn

Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. If you had not proposed the Question from the Chair, what was my hon. Friend doing moving the Bill?

Mr. Deputy Speaker

The hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller) was making a speech, or just starting to do so.