Point of Order

John Bercow Excerpts

Friday 20th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. May I ask for some advice? There are no more sitting Fridays for private Members’ Bills in this Session. Is it possible for the Backbench Business Committee to consider them if they are deferred today?

[Mr Speaker]

No, because the Standing Orders prevent that from happening. I hope that is helpful, even if it is disappointing.

[Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con)]

I beg to move, That the House sit in private.

Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 163).

--- Later in debate ---

[Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I wish to draw your attention to the fact that my Bill, the Public Bodies (Sustainable Food) Bill, is item No. 10 on the Order Paper. Given the difficulties faced by Members, who are elected, in being unable to get a sitting date for valid Bills that should be debated by the House, I wonder whether, when you visit the youth parliament in Kidsgrove, you could explain to young people in my constituency the archaic procedures of this House for getting proper legislation through.

[Mr Speaker]

I welcome such a challenge.

[Thomas Docherty]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I am mindful of your advice to Ministers and I am sure that you will have seen today that the Deputy Prime Minister’s statutory register of lobbyists has been leaked to a large number of news outlets, rather than given to the House. Has the Deputy Prime Minister sought you out to offer a formal apology for that gross discourtesy?

[Mr Speaker]

I am grateful to the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas Docherty) for that point of order. The short answer is no; no such conversation has taken place. What I say to the hon. Gentleman, whom I wish well for the weekend, is let us wait and see what Monday brings.