Junior Hospital Doctors (Regulation of Hours) Bill [H.L.] (Hansard, 28 February 1989)

§ Lord Rea

My Lords, before moving the Motion on the Order Paper, I owe the House an explanation for not being in my place when the Motion was called yesterday. As the order of business had recently been changed, at about 2 p.m. I took what I thought was the wise precaution of telephoning that usually reliable source of information, the Government Whips' Office, to check when I was likely to be called. I was told that it would be after the Second Reading of the Security Service Bill, at about 4.30 p.m. When I arrived at about 4 p.m. and was told that I had been called about an hour previously, one might say that my chagrin was considerable. That apart, I should like to say how grateful I am to the noble Lord the Leader of the House for making space for this brief item of business today.

I understand that even with the extra day no amendments have been set down for this Bill and that no noble Lord has indicated a wish to move a manuscript amendment or to speak in Committee. Therefore, unless any noble Lord objects, I beg to move that the order of commitment be discharged.