§ Mr. Bob Cryer (Bradford, South)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Motions on two statutory instruments—items No. 3 and 4 on the Order Paper—are to be taken forthwith. I draw your attention to item No. 4 in respect of which it is said:
The Instrument has not yet been considered by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.The Committee was not formed, by resolution of the House, until last Friday. As the Committee meets tomorrow for the first time this Session, it is wrong that an order should be passed by the House without the necessary consideration. There can be no justification for the Government moving the order tonight because it does not come into force until 1 July—I have a copy here.Therefore, the Government should not move item No. 4 so that the Committee may have time to consider the order and to draw to the attention of the House, under the terms of the Standing Order, any defects in the instrument. If the order is moved tonight, the Government will be deliberately flouting the wishes of the House by appointing people to a Committee but preventing them from carrying out the job that the House has given to them. I hope that the Government will not move item No. 4.
§ Madam SpeakerWhat the hon. Gentleman says is correct, but the instruments are in good order. The Government are prepared to move them, and so I have to put the Question on them.