§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the President of the Council if she will make it the Government's policy that in each instance where the majority of the House is in favour of legislation and where the Government are neutral on the issue in question, it will put forward appropriate legislation, provide time for debate and permit a free vote on specific issues. [126084]
§ Mrs. BeckettGovernments are elected on the basis of their Manifestos, which will always contain a number of commitments requiring legislation. It is right that Manifesto commitments should have priority. Other legislative needs are identified by Government and examined on a case-by-case basis. Although parliamentary time is limited, there have always been occasions when the Government has found time for matters on which it is itself neutral.