Childcare Bill [Lords]

Lindsay Hoyle Excerpts

Monday 25th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[The Chairman of Ways and Means (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

I remind the House that although all Members may speak in the debate, only Members representing constituencies in England may vote on the consent motion.

Resolved,

That the Committee consents to the following certified clauses of the Childcare Bill [Lords] and certified amendment made to the Bill:

Clauses certified under Standing Order No. 83L(2) as relating exclusively to England and being within devolved legislative competence

Clauses 3 and 5 of the Bill as amended in Committee (Bill 107);

Amendments certified under Standing Order No. 83L(4) as relating exclusively to England

Amendment 3 made in Committee to Clause 2 of the Bill as introduced (Bill 84), which is Clause 1(5) of the Bill as amended in Committee (Bill 107).—(Mr Gyimah.)

The occupant of the Chair left the Chair to report the decision of the Committee (Standing Order No. 83M(6)).

The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; decision reported.

Third Reading

--- Later in debate ---

[Lady Hermon (North Down) (Ind)]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I might have misunderstood, but when last autumn we discussed the new certification process for English votes for English laws, it was my understanding that it would be used only rarely. Since the House returned from the Christmas recess, however, we have used it on the Housing and Planning Bill, on a statutory instrument last week and on the Childcare Bill this evening. Have you, or has the Speaker’s Office, had any indication of whether this dreadful procedure will become routine, or will it be used only on rare occasions—all the rare occasions having occurred this month?

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

The trouble is it depends on the Bills. Standing Orders dictate when the procedure is used. We could go a long time without it being used or it could be used every day. I am not sure. The procedures are laid down in Standing Orders, but the hon. Lady has now put her point on the record.

[Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con)]

Further to that point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker.

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

Sir Edward, are you sure it is a point of order? Last time you promised me it was, but it was not.

[Sir Edward Leigh]

I am sometimes a bit naughty.

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

I would not say sometimes.

[Sir Edward Leigh]

The hon. Lady should not get too worried, because EVEL will not change a single part of a single Bill in this or any other Parliament. There is an overall Conservative majority in this one, and, as all the other parties are opposed to it, if we do not have a majority next time, they will cancel it.

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

Thank you, Sir Edward, for that non-point of order. I was absolutely correct: you are naughty.