HC Deb 24 June 2002 vol 387 cc629-77

Lords amendments considered.

4.32 pm
John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington)

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Michael Lord)

I shall take the point of order in a moment. Before the House considers the Lords amendments, I wish to draw its attention to an error on the amendment paper. Amendment (a) to Lords amendment No. 17 should read: Line 12, leave out from beginning to end of line 18", not "line 17".

John McDonnell

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Thank you for your leniency. Amendments were tabled in my name and the names of a number of my hon. Friends that expressed a certain position that had been debated previously in the House, and was the subject of an early-day motion with 300 signatories.

Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley)

Three hundred and ten signatories.

John McDonnell

I thank my hon. Friend for correcting me. I accept that those amendments have not been selected today, and that the Speaker has no responsibility to provide reasons for not selecting them. Mr. Deputy Speaker, will you none the less take back to him the view that there may well be a case for the publication of the advice provided to the Speaker on amendments, so that we can have transparency and openness and, perhaps, increased accountability about the selection of amendments process?

Mr. Deputy Speaker

I know that the hon. Gentleman knows well how the House deals with these matters, and that it is not possible for me to comment on the selection of today's amendments. He has, however, put his thoughts on record for everyone to see and to read.

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    1. EXPORT CONTROLS 17,197 words, 1 division
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    3. cc662-77
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