MODERNISATION OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

HC Deb 30 July 1997 vol 299 c423

Ordered, That Sir Patrick Cormack be discharged from the Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons and Mr. Richard Shepherd be added to the Committee.—[Mr. Jamieson.]

Mr. Grieve

On a point of order, Sir Alan. We have been subject to a timetable motion this evening. I understand that the purpose of such a motion is to enable the House to transact its business within a time framework that allows full discussion. In the circumstances, is it not extraordinary that we are concluding at 8.25 pm a debate on major constitutional issues that are to be put to the people of Wales and Scotland? With a sensible timetable motion, we could have debated those issues for a further hour and 35 minutes.

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Michael Lord)

We have been debating the issues on the basis of a timetable motion that was agreed by the House.