Members’ Bills

Following agreement in the Business Committee yesterday, I seek leave that:

(a) notwithstanding Standing Order 277(1), if,

(i) whenever the Clerk is to conduct a ballot under Standing Order 277(2), or

(ii) on a Wednesday on which Government orders of the day take precedence,

it appears that there will not be four orders of the day for the first reading of members’ bills available for consideration at the next Wednesday’s sitting at which members’ orders of the day take precedence, the Clerk may accept notices for the introduction of members’ bills so as to bring the number of orders available that day up to four, and

(b) this order expires on 31 March 2007.

I will very briefly explain that so that other members who are not on the Business Committee understand it. There have been difficulties on occasions with not having four members’ bills available because some members’ bills have been postponed. The Business Committee thought it would be a good idea to try this for a year as a sessional order, see how it goes, and the House can return to that matter next year if it works as well as we expect it to work.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course being followed? There is no objection.