FIXED-TERM PARLIAMENTS BILL

House of Commons, 19 July 2002.

Alan Haselhurst (Deputy Speaker, Saffron Walden)

Second Reading what day? No day named.

Eric Forth (Conservative, Bromley and Chislehurst)

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Is there anything in our rules or procedures to protect the House against Members who allow their Bills to be on the Order Paper, thus raising expectations among other Members and people outside, but who gratuitously fail to be here on the day so that their Bill has no chance of making progress? Is there anything that can protect us from that casual attitude of Members to the House of Commons?

Alan Haselhurst (Deputy Speaker, Saffron Walden)

As in all matters, all hon. Members are expected to behave in a responsible way and are entirely responsible for their conduct in the House.

Julian Lewis (Conservative, New Forest East)

Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Is there any way that one can place on record the fact that, so far at least, the vast majority of Members who have not shown up to move their Bills—if not all of them—are Labour Members?

Alan Haselhurst (Deputy Speaker, Saffron Walden)

I think that the Official Report will show precisely what has happened and people may make their own interpretation.

David Maclean (Conservative, Penrith and The Border)

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. If some Members have been unavoidably detained and thus unable to be here to move their Bills, would it be possible for other Members, who may have an interest in the matter to move the Bills in their place?

Alan Haselhurst (Deputy Speaker, Saffron Walden)

I think that that procedure has already been demonstrated and is in order.