European Parliamentary Elections Bill

House of Commons, 17 November 1998.

Patrick Cormack (Conservative, South Staffordshire)

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It will not have escaped your notice that the final item of business for today before the Adjournment debate is: Consideration of any Lords Messages and Amendments that may be received". In view of the fact that another place has just reaffirmed its earlier decision, have you had a request from the Leader of the House to make a brief business statement? If not, would you allow the right hon. Lady to make one?

Michael Lord (Deputy Speaker, Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)

I have no information about any statement, but perhaps the Leader of the House would like to respond to that point of order.

Margaret Beckett (Labour, Derby South)

I was not intending to make a statement, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but it may be helpful to the House if, further to that point of order, I inform the House that it has already been agreed through the usual channels that the European Parliamentary Elections Bill will be taken as first business tomorrow. I also note the Opposition's warm welcome for a process whereby hereditary peers interfere with elections.