HL Deb 16 July 1987 vol 488 cc1159-60

3.26 p.m.

Lord Belstead

My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.

Moved, That Standing Order 44 (No two stages of a Bill to be taken on one day) be suspended until the Summer Recess.—(Lord Belstead.)

Lord Renton

My Lords, can my noble friend give an undertaking that what is obviously necessary on this occasion will not easily be regarded as a precedent for future occasions? It is bad when even non-controversial legislation has to be rushed. We should not let this occasion pass without getting an undertaking from the Government with regard to the future.

Lord Belstead

My Lords, I appreciate what my noble friend has said. The three Bills concerned are the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill, the Finance Bill and the British Shipbuilders (Borrowing Powers) Bill. The first two Bills are money Bills which the House would not normally amend; the British Shipbuilders (Borrowing Powers) Bill is not a money Bill but, if I may venture to say so, it is wholly uncontroversial. None the less, I shall draw to the attention of my noble friend the Leader of the House, what my noble friend has said.

The Earl of Selkirk

My Lords, would it not be wise to name the Bills instead of stating in broad terms all Bills to the end of the Session?

Lord Belstead

My Lords, I have just named them.

The Earl of Selkirk

My Lords, but not on paper.

Lord Belstead

My Lords, no, not on the paper. Once again, I shall draw that point to the attention of my noble friend the Leader of the House.

On Question, Motion agreed to.