Business of the House (Today)

Lord Campbell of Pittenweem Excerpts

Monday 10th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Sir Menzies Campbell (North East Fife) (LD)]

From time to time during my career here, the procedures of the House have stood in the way of its intention. Often on these occasions, the matters have been resolved on the basis of, I suppose, allowing a more mature consideration, and with the Treasury Bench seeking the opportunity to take with it all the disparate opinions within the House, making it clear that nothing is being done that thwarts the will of the House to discuss a matter of such significance as the one under consideration today. Would it not therefore be appropriate for the Treasury Bench to take the opportunity of having more mature consideration and to withdraw this motion, proposing instead one that would meet the aspirations of those who either support or oppose—

[Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP)]

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman give way?

[Sir Menzies Campbell]

I cannot give way.

[Pete Wishart]

rose—

[Sir Menzies Campbell]

I am not an expert on procedure, Mr Speaker, but I understand what is happening here.

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am trying to listen intently to the right hon. and learned Gentleman. I hope I have not misunderstood him, but he certainly is able to give way if he wishes to do so, although he is not obliged to do so.

[Sir Menzies Campbell]

We learn something new every day, Mr Speaker.

[Pete Wishart]

I am grateful to the right hon. and learned Gentleman. He can have his way: all he needs to do is to encourage his fellow Liberal Members to vote against the business motion. If it is defeated, the Government will have to go away, think again and present something sensible so that we can all debate what we want to debate. He should get the Liberals to vote against the business motion.

--- Later in debate ---

[Chris Grayling]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

[Sir Menzies Campbell]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

If the right hon. and learned Gentleman will forgive me, I will take the point of order from the Secretary of State for Justice.

[Chris Grayling]

It might help the House to know that, as I explained in my remarks, tonight’s motion extends the normal 90-minute debate to one that lasts all evening. Should it be defeated, there would simply be a 90-minute debate.

[Sir Menzies Campbell]

That, Mr Speaker, is also my understanding. It is equally my understanding that there is considerable unrest in the House about this matter. Surely in those circumstances, the best thing for the Government to do is to go away and think about how best to allow us to express our view on these matters. Otherwise, we will have a bad-tempered, fractious and inconclusive debate. How can that possibly be in the interests either of the House or indeed of the public?