Identity Cards Bill

– in a Public Bill Committee at on 27 January 2005.

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[Janet Anderson in the Chair]

Photo of Humfrey Malins Humfrey Malins Shadow Minister, Home Affairs 2:35, 27 January 2005

On a point of order, Ms Anderson. I want to draw attention to the appalling situation in which we find ourselves. This morning we were unable to discuss critical clauses in relation to the commissioner. I wonder whether there is anything that you can do from the Chair.

The Leader of the House accused us on the Floor of the House of a filibuster. Given that when the knives were introduced on this Bill some time ago there was no question of a filibuster, that was most unkind, unwise and wrong of him. The hon. Member for Reading, West (Mr. Salter) accused us of one and was promptly put right by all of us. The Chairman had made no reference to filibustering. It is an appalling state of affairs when we simply cannot debate vital clauses. Is there anything that you can do about this, Ms Anderson?

Photo of Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Conservative, Cotswold

Further to that point of order, Ms Anderson. My hon. Friend makes a good point. Not only have two important clauses not been debated this morning, but we have almost half the Bill to debate in one sitting this afternoon. There will be more than one Division in the House, which will take out time. What is more, the Leader of the House told us on the Floor just now that the Third Reading of the Bill is to be on a Thursday, when we will get only three and a half hours at most to consider it. The Bill has in no way been adequately scrutinised by Parliament. Can you do anything to make representations to alleviate this situation, Ms Anderson?

Photo of Martin Salter Martin Salter Labour, Reading West

Further to that point of order, Ms Anderson. While I was happy to withdraw the term ''filibuster'' under your excellent guidance, I left on the record the fact that the Conservative party had been time-wasting. The fact that the Chairman called Conservative Members to order no fewer than nine times in the course of one morning's sitting was evidence of that.

Photo of Janet Anderson Janet Anderson Labour, Rossendale and Darwen

Hon. Members will appreciate that this is not a matter for the Chairman and that it lies in their hands to keep their contributions as brief and to the point as possible, to ensure that we can get through the business in hand.