Fraud (Trials without a Jury) Bill
10:45 am
John Bercow (Buckingham, Conservative)
I am grateful to the Solicitor-General. I already made the point about the informal understanding that could lead to a later finish tonight. I ought, as a matter of record, to explain that the so-called “get-out time” is not a matter of a resolution of the House; that is a question of the get-out date. Therefore, there is nothing binding, so far as the House is concerned, about the get-out time, although I heard the Solicitor-General’s view that the get-out time should remain as it is.
I intend to proceed as follows. I will ask the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham if he wishes to withdraw his existing amendment and to submit a revised amendment, including what I would describe—for shorthand purposes—as the 4.30 point. I do not propose at this point to take any further amendments and, presented with a suitably revised amendment by the right hon. and learned Gentleman that is in order, I propose to put that to the vote.