Fixed-term Parliaments Bill

Baroness Primarolo Excerpts

Wednesday 24th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab)]

rose—

[The Temporary Chair]

I call Tommy Docherty.

[Thomas Docherty]

It might help the House to know that the Scottish Parliament has very specific rules about what counts as a motion of no confidence in the Government. For example, failing to get a Budget through does not count, as we saw just two years ago when the Scottish National party Government could not get their Budget through on the first attempt.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Cash]

The hon. Gentleman spoke about his enthusiasm for the Speaker. Does he agree that we must make certain that under no circumstances should the Speaker’s certificate be decided through the courts? The provision in the clause raises a serious question. The Clerk of the House was entirely right in his assessment. Furthermore, when the Committee votes on the amendments, it must decide that it will not under any circumstances allow the Speaker’s certificate to be decided by the courts, and that the wording of the 1911 Act—

[The Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means (Dawn Primarolo)]

Order. Interventions must be brief.

[Thomas Docherty]

I agree entirely with the hon. Gentleman, who has yet again identified the matter as a cross-House, cross-party, cross-views issue. It is not about tripping up the Government, but about providing clarity and ensuring that the matter is not resolved in the courts.