Business of the House (Lisbon Treaty)

Is the hon. Gentleman not in danger of being a little selective in his recollections? He and I remember past years—certainly the 18 years when his party was in Government—and, without being partisan, is it not true to say that there has been a steady decline in the freedom of the House, as there has been an increasing use of Whips, and of timetable motions such as the one we are debating? That is not new to this Government; there is a process that we can catalogue. Also, the hon. Gentleman said there were great debates in former years, but is he not being unfair to the excellent debate of last Monday? I heard some fantastic speeches then, including one from the right hon. and learned Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke), who is a scarce bird on his party’s Benches because his views on Europe are very unpopular with other Conservative Members.