– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 25 July 1947.
Sir Stafford Cripps
, Bristol East
I beg to move:
That the Bill be re-committed to a Committee of the Whole House in respect of the Amendments to Clause 43, page 40, line 26; Clause 46, page 43, line 18 and Clause 46, page 43, line 46, standing on the Notice Paper in my name, and in respect of Clause 6g.
The reason for this is that it has been suggested that possibly one of these Amendments might cause an extra charge. I think it is a possibility, and I suggest that when we get into Committee it would be convenient to consider all the Amendments together and to deal with all the points at once.
Mr Brendan Bracken
, Bournemouth
I fully agree with the advice given by the President of the Board of Trade and I hope that we can get on with the Bill.
Mrs Bessie Braddock
, Liverpool Exchange
May I ask a question in regard to Clause 69? Will it be possible for that Clause to be discussed fully in all its implications and may we ask questions about it—or may I ask some questions now and have an answer?
Mr James Milner
, Leeds South East
Yes, the appropriate Clause will be before the Committee at the appropriate time.
Sir Stafford Cripps
, Bristol East
On a point of Order. I think the most convenient way of proceeding would be if we were to deal with all these Amendments on the Order Paper on recommittal at the same time so that I may be able to make a general statement in regard to them. I hope that we shall be able to cover all the points. If hon. Members feel that that is not convenient, then we will proceed, taking them one by one.
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
I think myself that the course suggested would be convenient. If there is any objection, it is a matter for the Committee. These Amendments more or less hang together.
Sir Stafford Cripps
, Bristol East
I think, Major Milner, that on consideration the Committee will see that these are all points dealing with the question of Clause 46. They all turn on one general argument. Therefore, if we take them together we could take the general argument as a whole but we could take a separate vote.
Mr Charles Williams
, Torquay
On a point of Order. As I understand it, there are one or two Amendments to proposed Amendments. Of course, it depends on the Chair whether they are called, but it would help us if we knew whether or not they are likely to be called, if it is possible to be told at this time. They are separate Amendments and it would help us to know whether we might have a discussion on them or whether the whole matter must be discussed as one.
Mr Reginald Manningham-Buller
, Daventry
It seems to me that the first Amendment —in Clause 43, page 40, to leave out lines 26 and 27—deals with quite a different point from the other Amendments. While there appears to be no objection to con- sidering the other Amendments together, there seems to be a certain objection to taking the first one with them. It appears to deal with an entirely separate point and, though I may be wrong, I feel that if we try to take them together we shall take up much more time than if we we dealt with that one separately.
The clause by clause consideration of a parliamentary bill takes place at its committee stage.
In the Commons this usually takes place in a standing committee, outside the Chamber, but occasionally a bill will be considered in a committee of the Whole House in the main chamber.
This means the bill is discussed in detail on the floor of the House by all MPs.
Any bill can be committed to a Committee of the Whole House but the procedure is normally reserved for finance bills and other important, controversial legislation.
The Chairman of Ways and Means presides over these Committees and the mace is placed on a bracket underneath the Table.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
The order paper is issued daily and lists the business which will be dealt with during that day's sitting of the House of Commons.
It provides MPs with details of what will be happening in the House throughout the day.
It also gives details of when and where the standing committees and select committees of the Commons will be meeting.
Written questions tabled to ministers by MPs on the previous day are listed at the back of the order paper.
The order paper forms one section of the daily vote bundle and is issued by the Vote Office
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
