Mr Sydney Irving: I have already indicated to the House that comment must be related only to the Amendment. The hon. Gentleman is going a little wider.
Mr Sydney Irving: I must remind hon. Gentlemen that this is very wide of the Amendment. These are matters which could well be argued in an inquiry but not in detail on this Amendment.
Mr Sydney Irving: The hon. Gentleman commenced his speech by saying he was going to be very brief. I hope he will conclude very shortly.
Mr Sydney Irving: I must remind hon. Members that it is the Amendment on the Order Paper that we are to discuss, and not the tactics of the Government or the Opposition.
Mr Sydney Irving: Order. The hon. Gentleman is arguing wider issues than are dealt with in the Amendment, which is concerned with the question whether there should be public inquiries.
Mr Sydney Irving: I apologise. That was Mr. Speaker's selection and that will be in order.
Mr Sydney Irving: I suggest that with this Amendment we discuss Amendments Nos. 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29.
Mr Sydney Irving: The next Amendment selected is Amendment No. 48, with which we may discuss Amendment No. 49, in page 8, line 32, leave out subsection (2).
Mr Sydney Irving: With this Amendment we are to take the following:
Mr Sydney Irving: Order. The hon. Gentleman must deal with the Motion, which is concerned with exceptional treatment of this issue under the Instruction. He is now getting away from the Instruction.
Mr Sydney Irving: That is not a point of order.
Mr Sydney Irving: Order. The hon. Gentleman is using the occasion of a previous Finance Bill to illustrate the point that he is making. I hope that he will not make it at any greater length. It is not the practice of the House to refer to the Strangers' Gallery.
Mr Sydney Irving: The hon. Gentleman is raising a point of order to enter into the debate. I cannot comment on what the hon. Lady said in this context.
Mr Sydney Irving: An hon. Gentleman who sits down is in danger of losing the Floor. I hope that hon. Members will not repeat the practice.
Mr Sydney Irving: Order. The hon. Gentleman is wandering somewhat from the Motion now.
Mr Sydney Irving: That is a reflection on the Chair. The hon. Member for The Hartlepools (Mr. Leadbitter) was in order until I intervened. I hope that he will have regard to the usages of the House and remember that many hon. Members still wish to take part in the debate.
Mr Sydney Irving: The Chair never rules hypothetically. I can rule only on what I hear in the Chamber.
Mr Sydney Irving: That is not a point of order.
Mr Sydney Irving: Order. It may be helpful if the hon. Member deals with the matter in that way, but I hope that he will not repeat this explanation on Clause 2.
Mr Sydney Irving: If the hon. Gentleman, in view of the injury to his leg, finds it more convenient to be seated while he makes his speech, I am sure that the House would allow that indulgence.
