HC Deb 16 February 1996 vol 271 cc1312-3

Order for Second Reading read.

2.29 pm
Mr. Bernard Jenkin (Colchester, North)

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. There is a rumour circulating the Palace of Westminster that a device has been found under the car of an hon. Member. I hasten to add that it is rumour, and that the device was not found within the precincts of the Palace of Westminster. Will you use your good offices and those of Madam Speaker to circulate warnings to hon. Members so that we can all be on the alert this weekend?

Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Janet Fookes)

I should have thought hon. Members would be aware of the position already.

Mr. Peter Atkinson (Hexham)

Further to that point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Will you use your offices to encourage Madam Speaker to ask the Leader of the House to come to the Chamber today to make a statement about what he proposes to do to increase security in the Palace of Westminster? In view of what my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester, North (Mr. Jenkin) has just said, it seems that hon. Members should know, as a matter of urgency, that they are being properly protected.

Madam Deputy Speaker

I have noted what the hon. Gentleman has said.

Mr. John Carlisle (Luton North)

Further to that point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker.

Madam Deputy Speaker

I have already dealt with the point of order. The hon. Gentleman must sit down.

Mr. Simon Hughes (Southwark and Bermondsey)

I beg to move, That the Bill be read a Second time now, Madam Deputy Speaker.

Mr. John Carlisle

On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Deputy Speaker

Is this a different point of order?

Mr. Carlisle

Yes, it is on a different subject. I am a little concerned that the business that is to follow the business that we have been discussing, and which we have just accepted, is the result of a ten-minute Bill. Other hon. Members have Bills that came up in the ballot for private Member's Bills. A ten-minute Bill appears to have almost jumped the queue—perhaps you, Madam Deputy Speaker, could give me some guidance on that.

Madam Deputy Speaker

Yes, I can give the hon. Gentleman some guidance straight away. It is a bogus point of order, of which I take a dim view. I now put the Question on the tobacco promotion Bill.

Hon. Members

Object.

To be read a Second time on Friday 22 March.