§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I wonder whether you have received any assurances from the appropriate Minister in relation to the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill, as there was a unanimous vote in the House last week which ordered the 936 Government to give adequate time to allow that Bill to be approved and placed on the statute book. The Bill would give equal rights to millions of disabled people up and down the country.
In view of the unusual situation that developed last week—it was the first time in my 24 years in this place that I have seen such a motion passed—and in view of those instructions, have you been assured by the Minister that the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill will be given time by the Government so that it reaches the statute book and provides those rights for all those citizens?
§ Madam SpeakerIt is not normal practice for the Speaker to be assured by the Government on any issue of that nature. It is for the House to determine whether the Bill proceeds speedily through the House today when we arrive at that particular point.
§ Mr. Alex Carlile (Montgomery)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. As you have often told us, you are the protector of Back-Bench interests which means that you are the protector of the interests of a constituency to have a Back-Bench Member of Parliament. Can you tell us when you will take the view that there is no further point in the Government's running away from a by-election in Eastleigh which should have been held by now?
The Government have now been destroyed in the local elections, and particularly in the local elections in Eastleigh, and it is time that they had the courage to face the electorate in a by-election there.
§ Madam SpeakerI am well aware that election campaigning has been going on for some time outside the House as well as inside it. However, as Speaker, I am certainly not going to be dragged into any campaigning.