HL Deb 10 April 1968 vol 291 cc331-2

2.45 p.m.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)

My Lords, I beg to move that the First Report from the Committee on Procedure of the House be now considered.

Moved, accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.

The Committee's Report was as follows:

1. STARRED QUESTIONS

The Committee have considered the right of members of the House to ask Starred Questions and are of opinion that questions are asked by leave of the House. They, therefore, consider that the form of words at present in use, namely, "I beg leave to ask the question standing in my name on the Order Paper is appropriate and should be continued.

2. ARRANGEMENT OF BUSINESS: SPECIAL ORDERS

The Committee recommend that Standing Order 35 (Arrangement of the Order Paper) be amended so that Special Orders are given the same precedence on the Order Paper as Public Bills and Measures.

3. PROCEDURE IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE

The Committee have considered the procedure followed when several bills to which no amendment has been put down are consecutively to be considered in Committee, and are unlikely to be debated: and whether it is necessary for the House to be resumed after consideration of each bill. They consider that the rights of Peers to raise points in Committee would in no way be affected, if the bills in question were grouped and considered successively in Committee. The House would not be resumed until the last of the Bills had been considered in Committee, and on the resumption of the House each bill would be separately reported. The Committee regard this as a desirable simplification of present procedure and recommend that it be adopted.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES

My Lords, I beg to move that this Report be agreed to.

Moved, that the Report be agreed to. —(The Earl of Listowel.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.