Business of the House (2 December)

John Bercow Excerpts

Monday 25th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con)]

I hope that we have enough time to debate this motion, which will effectively suspend our Standing Orders. Given that the subject matter that we will be debating on 2 December is amending the Standing Orders, it seems to me that it is wrong to limit the debate because, as we know, in the absence of a written constitution, the Standing Orders are the constitution of our country. I do not think that we should take changing the Standing Orders lightly. That is why I hope that in the course of this debate we will hear from the Leader of the House about why he thinks it reasonable for the Standing Orders to be altered, and for the time limit for debate to be as short as set out in the motion. When one looks at the detail of the motion, one can see that effectively—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am sorry to cut the hon. Gentleman off in his prime.