§
Motion made, and Question put,
That, in respect of the European Economic Area Bill [Lords], notices of Amendments, new Clauses and new Schedules to be moved in Committee may be accepted by the Clerks at the Table before the Bill has been read a second time.—[Mr. Lightbown.]
§
Motion made, and Question put,
That, if the European Economic Area Bill [Lords] be committed to a Committee of the whole House, further proceedings on the Bill shall stand postponed and that, as soon as the proceedings on any Resolutions come to by the House on the European Economic Area Bill [Lords] [Money] and [Ways and Means] have been concluded, this House will immediately resolve itself into a Committee on the Bill.—[Mr. Lightbown.]
§ Sir Teddy Taylor (Southend, East)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. My hon. Friends and I had hoped to table amendments tonight for consideration during the Committee stage of the European Economic Area Bill on Thursday. Because of the rejection of the Government's motion, amendments cannot now be tabled until tomorrow and they will then be starred. Would it be possible to persuade my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House to agree not to hold the Committee stage immediately after Second Reading on Thursday? Otherwise, there will be no real Committee stage and no proper discussion.
I know that you, Madam Speaker, are concerned with proper debate in the House. It would be appalling if there were to be a Second Reading, a Committee stage, a Report stage and a Third Reading without hon. Members having the opportunity to table amendments. I hope that there will be discussions through the usual channels, perhaps in consultation with you, to ensure either that amendments can be tabled or that there is not a Committee stage on Thursday.
§ Madam SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman's point has been noted. It will certainly be noted by those on the Treasury Bench and, I am sure, the Leader of the House.