§ Motion made, and Question put,
§ That the Nursery Education (Assessment of Need) Bill be referred to a Second Reading Committee.—[Mr. Spearing.]
§ Madam SpeakerLeave refused.
§ Mr. Nigel Spearing (Newham, South)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. You will agree that there is a rather unusual procedural situation this morning in respect of that motion and the objection. Item No. 8 on the Order Paper shows that, at 2.30 pm or thereabouts, a Question may be put that the adjourned debate on the Bill be put to a Question.
If there is an objection then—even after a debate has taken place on 18 February for three quarters of an hour—that Question cannot be put. The motion that I have just attempted to move would have no such effect and—if carried without objection—would have allowed debate upstairs in Committee, without any time being taken on the Floor of the House from the Government or from any hon. Member. It would have that effect without a decision necessarily being taken in its favour at the end.
Can you confirm that the objection that has just been raised by the Whip on the Government Front Bench prevents further debate on the merits of the Bill without its necessarily being approved, and therefore prevents further debate?
§ Madam SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman is fully aware of the Standing Order, and he needed leave to proceed as he wished. If one voice is raised in opposition, I must accept that. The hon. Gentleman has an item further on in the agenda, and he may have better luck as we proceed today.
§ Mr. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North)Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker. What representations have you had, or would you be prepared to receive, concerning objections by one hon. Member to private Members' Bills? That stifles debate and it cannot be said to be acting in the interests of Parliament or democracy in any way.
§ Madam SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman is aware that there is already a report on the matter from the Procedure Committee, and perhaps I may refer him to that report.