School Transport Bill

Bills Presented — Mortgage Repossessions (Protection of Tenants Etc.) Bill – in the House of Commons at 1:13 pm on 16 December 2009.

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Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

Mr. David Heath presented a Bill to make provision for a dedicated school bus network; to amend the duties of Local Education Authorities to provide school transport; to improve the safety of users of school transport; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 32).

Photo of Peter Bone Peter Bone Conservative, Wellingborough

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. We have just heard a lot of hon. Members presenting private Members' Bills and, with the exception of the last Member, giving dates for Second Reading when the House has not yet been given any dates when Second Readings are to be available. How can that be in order? How can Members know that they will actually be able to debate their business on that day?

Photo of John Bercow John Bercow Chair, Members Estimate Committee, Chair, Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, Speaker of the House of Commons, Chair, Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, Speaker of the House of Commons, Chair, Members Estimate Committee, Chair, Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, Chair, Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission

That is a matter for the Government, as I think the hon. Gentleman knows. I think it would be accurate to say that he is engaged in a continuing altercation with the Government on this important matter. Once again, he has taken the opportunity to register firmly on the record his disapproval of the Government's handling of the matter.

Photo of David Heath David Heath Shadow Leader of the House of Commons

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is not the fact that the consideration of private Members' Bills is a matter for the Government rather than the House an illustration of why we need an early debate on the proposals from the Wright Committee?

Photo of John Bercow John Bercow Chair, Members Estimate Committee, Chair, Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, Speaker of the House of Commons, Chair, Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, Speaker of the House of Commons, Chair, Members Estimate Committee, Chair, Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, Chair, Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission

The hon. Gentleman is taking the opportunity to instigate a debate. As he knows, I have myself indicated on previous occasions a desire that the matters to which he has referred should come before the House before very long. After the festive season, I have no reason to suppose that he will be disappointed.

If there are no further points of order-I know the House is in a very "point of order" mood-we now come to the main business.