§ 3.30 p.m.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hooper)My Lords, I beg to move that the Commons amendments and reasons be considered forthwith pursuant to Standing Order 39.4.
§ Moved, That the Commons amendments and reasons be considered forthwith pursuant to Standing Order 39.4.—(Baroness Hooper.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.
§ Baroness PhillipsMy Lords, before we engage in the debate, bearing in mind that yesterday we were discussing in a similar setting another Bill and I was told that I was out of order because I dared to challenge something that the Government had said, I should be grateful if we could know precisely from the Clerks at the outset of this debate what the position is. Is it the case that when the Government have spoken no one must come back and either ask a question or make a comment? I should like to have confirmation on that point because I believe there has been a change since the time when the Labour Party was in government. It is important that we should know what our powers are and the limits of those powers.
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Belstead)My Lords, I think I am right in saying to the noble Baroness, Lady Phillips, that the rules on the consideration of 1730 Commons' amendments are exactly the same as the rules on Third Reading. The essence of the rules is that after the government reply there should not be further debate.