HC Deb 11 January 1993 vol 216 c606
40. Mr. Cohen

To ask the Lord President of the Council what proposals he has to change the operation of the guillotine.

Mr. Newton

I have no plans to alter the arrangements for allocation of time motions governed by Standing Order No. 81. However, the Select Committee on Sittings of the House, in the report to which I referred earlier, recommended the routine timetabling of all Government Bills, except those taken through Committee on the Floor of the House.

Mr. Cohen

Will the Lord President of the Council tell us if and how he proposes to use the guillotine on the European Communities (Amendment) Bill? Would it not be appalling to use that on such an awful piece of legislation? In the longer term, should time-limited speeches not be available as a constitutional alternative?

Mr. Newton

The hon. Gentleman will have his own views on such matters, but I am not sure that they will be shared in all parts of the House.