HC Deb 13 January 1997 vol 288 c20
34. Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many Divisions there have been in the House during 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996, and if he will estimate the number likely in the first four months of 1997. [8751]

Mr. Newton

There were 390 Divisions in the House in the 1992–93 Session, 339 in 1993–94, 202 in 1994–95 and 33 so far this Session. I have made no estimate of the likely number of Divisions in the first four months of 1997.

Mr. Hughes

I suggest that it may be fewer than 33, which was the last figure that the right hon. Gentleman gave. Are the Government likely to obtain Royal Assent for all their legislation before the end of the Session? What are the odds on the month when the election will be called? Will it be decided by the Government at their choice or by the Opposition with our votes?

Mr. Newton

I am a politician and not a gambling man, although I occasionally buy a lottery ticket. I do not propose to be drawn on that matter by the hon. Gentleman. However, I will say that I hope and expect that we shall be able to carry out our legislative programme, given that the number of Divisions held so far partly reflects the extensive support for that programme.

Mr. Skinner

Is it not true that the number of Divisions fell dramatically in the past two years principally because the Government called upon the vast majority of their Back Benchers to push through the Jopling recommendations? That resulted in many orders, such as the Common Market orders to which the hon. Member for Colchester, North (Mr. Jenkin) referred, being sent upstairs to Committee. It should be clear to all and sundry that, after the next election, when the Tory party will be in opposition, many Conservative Members will rue the day that they sent all that legislation to Committee.

Mr. Newton

As hon. Members know, the notion that the Jopling changes were rammed through by a Tory majority is far fetched. Total agreement was reached through the usual channels. I accept that the hon. Gentleman did not agree with those changes, but he should take the matter up with his hon. Friend the shadow Leader of the House, the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mrs. Taylor), who supported them.