Foreign National Offenders (Exclusion from the UK) Bill

Philippa Whitford Excerpts

Friday 11th March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

As the hon. Gentleman knows, it would be in order, but it is entirely up to the hon. Lady.

[Dr Philippa Whitford (Central Ayrshire) (SNP)]

Further to that point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. As a new Member in the House, I find what is happening to be shocking—not just because of the waste of time of so many Members who want to speak on an issue that is so important, but because our constituents are writing to us all, including to Conservative Members, to ask us to discuss and vote on the National Health Service Bill. [Interruption.]

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

Order. Before this degenerates into a slanging match, let me make it clear that the hon. Lady is doing exactly the same thing as the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas)—voicing the frustration that many Members have had over the years about our proceedings for private Members’ Bills. There are other ways in which hon. Members can raise issues. There are vehicles other than private Members’ Bills. Today, however, is devoted to private Members’ Bills, and the current Bill that is being discussed is on the Order Paper.