Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill

House of Commons, 16 March 2006.

Damian Green (Conservative, Ashford)

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Have the Government given you, and through you the House, any explanation of their extraordinary behaviour in pulling the business at about two hours' notice? Have the Government Whips had such a bad week that they need to go home early to lie down? It is virtually unprecedented in my experience of the House that an important Bill coming to its final stages is suddenly hoicked from the Order Paper for no reason, and the Government do not have the courtesy to give the House an explanation.

David Heath (Liberal Democrat, Somerton and Frome)

Further to that point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. The hon. Member for Ashford (Damian Green) makes a point that I made a couple of hours ago. May I add to that—[Interruption.]

Sylvia Heal (Deputy Speaker, Halesowen and Rowley Regis)

Order. The hon. Gentleman is making a point of order to the Chair.

David Heath (Liberal Democrat, Somerton and Frome)

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Has there been any indication from the Leader of the House that he anticipates making another business statement on Monday in order to correct the incorrect business statement that he made earlier today, which made no reference to further consideration of the Bill at any time during the next couple of weeks?

Sylvia Heal (Deputy Speaker, Halesowen and Rowley Regis)

I have received no such indication from the Leader of the House. Returning to the original point of order, it is, of course, the prerogative and responsibility of the hon. Member in charge of the Bill or motion to decide whether to proceed. I am not aware of any other explanation, but I have no doubt that the Bill will return at a later stage.

Edward Garnier (Conservative, Harborough)

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. On Friday 3 March I raised a point of order with the Second Deputy Chairman in relation to an incident that took place at Nottingham East Midlands airport on 4 March. In response, the Second Deputy Chairman quite properly said that that was not a matter for him, but that he felt sure that the relevant Minister, namely one from the Department for Transport, would read what was said and would no doubt respond. I raised that point of order two weeks ago, and I have heard nothing since then, apart from noisy night flights out of that airport. Is there any way in which you can encourage the Minister with responsibility for aviation or one of the more senior Ministers in that Department to apply their mind to what is a serious problem and have the courtesy to this House and to a MP to respond?

Sylvia Heal (Deputy Speaker, Halesowen and Rowley Regis)

I can only repeat to the hon. and learned Gentleman what my colleague, the Second Deputy Chairman, has already said—there is nothing that I can do. However, he may want to consider another way of getting a response to his question other than a point of order.