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Finance Bill (Report Stage)

Volume 887: debated on Friday 28 February 1975

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On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Many hon. Members came to the House this morning hoping to get copies of the amendments to the Finance Bill which were tabled yesterday so that they could lodge amendments before coming into the debate. The amendments to the Finance Bill tabled yesterday are not available in the Vote Office and it is only 55 minutes before mid-day. This puts the House in a difficulty from the point of view of the Finance Bill proceedings on Monday.

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. As I promised the House, I put down the amendments. I gather that there has been a little difficulty at the Stationery Office, but I am told that the amendments are likely to be laid a little later this morning.

Perhaps I may also advise the House that I had an amicable meeting yesterday with the right hon. and learned Member for Surrey, East (Sir G. Howe), in which I agreed that the non-CTT part of the Finance Bill will be taken first, to help hon. Members on both sides of the House. That motion will be tabled today and I hope that it will be helpful to the House.

In reply to the point of order raised by the hon. Member for Tiverton (Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop), this is a private Members' day and I shall not tolerate much intervention. I am aware of this matter and I have been doing the best I can to help hon. Members. We shall do the best we can to see that the documents are available as soon as possible.