On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The role of the Speaker in the House has traditionally been to protect the rights of Back Benchers. May I ask you to engage in discussions with the Speaker about what has happened today and about how the role of the Speaker can be used to protect the rights of Back Benchers?
Even on Third Reading, only one Back Bencher has been allowed to speak for 90 seconds. That has been the practice throughout the Bill—although not in Committee—for those Back Benchers who did not serve on Committee. Some have described that as a disgrace. Today, we have sunk to a new level in the House in failing properly to scrutinise the Bill and in involving the whole House in the process. I ask you to engage in that discussion with the Speaker, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and to come back with some proposals about how Back Benchers' rights can be protected.
Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
Proceeding contribution from
John McDonnell
(Labour)
in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 9 January 2008.
It occurred during Debate on bills on Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill.
Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
470 c489-90 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
Proceeding contributions
House of Commons
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
Proceeding contributions
House of Commons
Subjects
Librarians' tools
Timestamp
2025-01-04 08:55:00 +0000
URI
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