§ Not amended (in the Standing Committee), considered.
§ 5.2 pm
§ Mr. Max Madden (Bradford, West)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Bill is clearly a major piece of legislation and the amendment paper lists a large number of new clauses and amendments. You have kindly selected five new clauses, including Government new clause 6, and nine groups of amendments, including Government amendments. It is now 5.3 pm and clearly it is open to hon. Members to oppose the business motion at 10 pm—indeed, it is expected that the debate may run to midnight.
In view of the serious nature of the Bill arid the widespread controversy that it has aroused, especially in relation to clauses 9 and 10—about 1,000 black and Asian people are today lobbying the House to protest against the provisions—if progress is not expeditious, to avoid a vote against the business motion would you, Madam Speaker, he prepared to consider encouraging the Government to halt the business at 10 pm? The Government could return with the remainder of the business at a later date. Will you consider whether we could terminate today's business at 10 pm? Could you encourage the Government to complete the proceedings another day? In view of the serious nature of the Bill and the time already taken up this afternoon on extremely serious matters—about which I make no complaint—will you consider whether it would be proper for us to consider the Bill on Report and complete Third Reading today?
Madam SpeakerAs the hon. Gentleman is aware, as Speaker, I have to strike a balance between how long a statement should take and the remainder of the business on the Order Paper. What the hon. Gentleman has said is a matter for the House to consider, not a matter for me at this stage.