HL Deb 09 June 1992 vol 537 cc1192-3

3 p.m.

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Wakeham)

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 dispensed with to enable the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill to be taken through its remaining stages on Monday 15th June and the Non-Domestic Rating Bill to be taken through its remaining stages on Thursday 18th June.—(Lord Wakehant.)

Lord Houghton of Sowerby

My Lords, perhaps I may ask whether, notwithstanding the fact that the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill is intended to go through all its stages on Monday 15th June, the Civil Service (Management Functions) Bill will remain the first order after Questions on that day.

Secondly, it is unusual, is it not, for a Bill to be put down for Second Reading and then a Motion introduced to take all stages of the Bill in one day? It is a little early to be taking all stages of Bills in one day. I hope that we shall not do that with the Finance Bill: it has been in the other place for long enough and will require a little attention here. Besides, my dogs will be waiting on Thursday 18th June and I hope that passing the Non-Domestic Rating Bill through all its stages will not keep dogs muzzled and on a lead for too long.

Lord Wakeham

My Lords, I do not have a specific answer to the question which the noble Lord raised. The Motion was put down for what I believed to be the convenience of the whole House, after discussion.

However, I shall certainly look at the point which the noble Lord raised and if there is any problem I shall see whether I can find a solution to it.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, can my noble friend say why the Non-Domestic Rating Bill, which I believe is a not wholly uncontroversial measure, is being treated in that way? Is there any particular hurry over it?

Lord Wakeham

My Lords, I believe that there is some hurry because the relief will arrive to those people who pay the non-domestic rate as soon as we get the Bill through. Therefore, there is some anxiety to get it through.

On Question, Motion agreed to.