Councillor William Powell and others of like disposition are concerned about the lack of funding for local cultural events because lottery funding has been diverted to the 2012 Olympics.
The petition states:
That, because of the awarding of the 2012 Olympics to London, national lottery funding has been largely redirected to related projects, which will starve important local organisations and community groups of much-needed core funding.
That that threatens the very survival of much-loved grass-root community events such as the Talgarth festival of the Black mountains, and similar cultural events in Wales and throughout the United Kingdom.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
To lie upon the Table.
Further petitions stand over until immediately before the moving of the motion for the Adjournment.
Before we move to the Bill and I call the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) to continue his speech on the group of amendments for consideration, I remind the House that he has already spoken on them for well over an hour, and I am sure that he is beginning to bring his remarks to a conclusion. In any case, I do not expect him to repeat the arguments that he has already made at great length.
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Those of us who were in the No Lobby just a moment ago exercising our vote were disturbed to see a substantial trip hazard. A bucket has been placed in the middle of the Lobby. Is it possible to investigate the matter and to ensure that there is no danger to Members when exercising their vote later in the morning?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his concern. I must advise him that I have been made aware of the bucket in the No Lobby and the drip that is the reason for the bucket’s being there in the first place. The matter is already being investigated, and all Members are now fully aware that the bucket is present.
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Mr. Speaker has selected a group of the amendments that were tabled. Could you take time to consider whether we might add two amendments—Nos. 75 and 77—to that group during the day, on the basis that they are on separate matters not dealt with in the group that are absolutely relevant to the parts of the Bill that we will be considering?
I must remind the hon. Gentleman that Mr. Speaker has already made the selection of amendments, and there is no scope now for further amendments to be added.
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. You were giving advice to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) about the length of his speech. Under what Order of the House are speeches time-limited? I was not aware that the Speaker could limit the length of time that we speak, so I am a little confused as to why you should mention it. [Interruption.]
Order. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman, who is an experienced Member of this House, is well aware of the rule about repetition— tedious repetition. I was merely pointing that out. It is important that we continue the debate—as indeed it is for other Members who perhaps wish to catch my eye during our proceedings.
Further to that point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I absolutely understand the point about repetition, but it appeared to me that you were saying something about length, rather than repetition.
I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will reflect on what I have said, because I do not think that he really intends to challenge the ruling that I have just made.
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Unfortunately, I was unable to obtain a list of the amendments that have been selected for debate today until quite late on. I am a relatively new Member of this House, and some of us—[Interruption.]
Order. I must hear the point of order that the hon. Lady is making.
I am grateful, Madam Deputy Speaker. As a relatively new Member, I like to plan what I am going to say, and as my office is in the outer Hebridean equivalent of the parliamentary estate—Norman Shaw North—it is very difficult to do so when one cannot obtain the selection list until just before the debate. Will you investigate the matter and see whether the service for Members can be improved?
The amendments selected by Mr. Speaker were available yesterday, and in the appropriate offices when they opened this morning. They are also available on the internet. I must remind the hon. Lady that if Members have an interest in a particular Bill or motion before the House it is incumbent on them to make the necessary inquiries.