HC Deb 12 June 1995 vol 261 c559

That this House takes note of European Community Document No. 4069/95, relating to price indications, and supports the Government's view that the draft Directive should be adopted.—[Dr. Liam Fox.] Question agreed to.

Madam Deputy Speaker

We now come to motion No. 9. I see that it is not moved.

Mr. Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford)

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I seek your guidance. There has been an objection to motion No. 9 on the Order Paper. As one of the proposed members of that Committee—

Madam Deputy Speaker

Order. The motion was not moved.

Mr. Duncan Smith

My point of order concerns what happens next, Madam Deputy Speaker. The point is simply that we have to resolve the matter. If these objections go on for ever, the Committee will never meet and the public will want to know why. Cannot the usual channels resolve it?

Madam Deputy Speaker

That is not a matter for the Chair; it is a matter for the Government to decide when they can bring forward such a motion. Private matters between the usual channels are not for the Chair.

Mr. Patrick McLoughlin (West Derbyshire)

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Has it not been an instruction of the House that the Committee should report by a certain date? Bearing that in mind, does not the Chair have some responsibility to the Chamber, which has already taken its decision on the matter?

Madam Deputy Speaker

No, it is not a matter for the Chair. It is a matter for the Government as to when they may bring forward another motion.

Mr. Oliver Heald (Hertfordshire, North)

Further to that point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. When could the Government bring forward such a motion, given the anxiety on both sides of the House to clear up the matter?

Madam Deputy Speaker

I have already dealt with the matter as it affects the Chair. I do not intend to take any more points of order on it.