Transport and Works Bill (Hansard, 20 February 1992)

§ Mr. Peter Bottomley (Eltham)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You will be aware of the political law of detailed explanation. Normally when a Minister has given a detailed reason why something cannot happen, life changes—for example, when it is explained in detail why a polytechnic cannot be called a university, and within six months the Government change their policy and bring in a Bill to allow that change; or when a Minister explains the practical advantages of the community charge, and a short time later the community charge is changed to the council tax; or when it is explained why HIV victims cannot he compensated and then there is a change. That normally comes about because, when a Minister gives a detailed explanation, it is possible to engage in debate and the Government can review their proposals.
As it is not easy to extend the time for Second Reading of a Bill—this Bill had a half-day Second Reading debate —and as there are rules about what may be considered on Report, might my hon. Friend the Minister be invited to see whether, between now and the time when the Bill goes to another place, he can find some means of meeting, in private if not in public, an all-party delegation to consider whether the limits for public service vehicle drivers proposed in the Bill, which, if the Bill is passed, can be changed by regulation, might be reduced?

§ Mr. Speaker
That is surely a matter that could be raised on Third Reading. I imagine that it forms part of the Bill and that it can therefore be raised on Third Reading.

§ Mr. Bottomley
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am grateful for your guidance. I had assumed that what was not in the Bill, which is a different set of limits, could not be discussed. This is not the time to go through what happened in Committee. It is worth pointing out, however, that, on the eighth day of the Committee, a very detailed opening discussion, or Second Reading discussion, was introduced by the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing). Other hon. Members, who were not members of the Committee, would, I believe, have liked to take part in that debate. I suspect that your guidance will be useful to the House. It may also be that my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary will want to consider my suggestion.

§ Mr. Speaker
It will be for the hon. Member to raise that matter on Third Reading, if he catches the eye of the Chair. If the hon. Gentleman asks the Minister to see a delegation, I have no doubt that he will be willing to do so.