Business of the House (Lisbon Treaty) (No. 8)

I beg to move,"That the Order of 28th January be further amended as follows—""(1) in paragraph (1) for 'the first business is' substitute 'the business includes',""(2) in the Table, in the entry for Allotted Day 9—""(a) in the second column, for 'Clauses 3 to 7' substitute 'Clause 3, the Schedule, and Clauses 4 and 5', and""(b) in the third column, add '6 hours after commencement',""(3) in the Table, in the entry for Allotted Day 10—""(a) in the second column, for 'Clauses 3 to 7, so far as not completed on Allotted Day 9' substitute 'Clauses 6 to 7, and any selected amendments to Clause 8 other than those making commencement contingent on a referendum', and""(b) in the third column, for 'The moment of interruption' substitute '6 hours after commencement', and""(4) in the Table, in the entry for Allotted Day 11—""(a) in the second column, for 'Clause 8, the Schedule, New Clauses and New Schedules' substitute '(1) remaining proceedings on Clause 8, and (2) New Clauses and New Schedules', and""(b) in the third column, for 'The moment of interruption' substitute '(1) 6 hours after commencement, and (2) 15 minutes after commencement'." The motion does three things in response to concerns about the scrutiny of clauses 3 to 8. First, it provides certainty for the House by protecting a full six hours of debate on each of the three days of debate this week. The time is protected against any statements or urgent questions—such matters have arisen on five occasions during Committee days thus far. I am delighted to see the hon. Member for Forest of Dean (Mr. Harper) in his place—he is in a different place from normal, but Conservative Members move around to make it appear that there are more of them. He has asked on a number of occasions whether day 10 and in particular day 11 could have a protected number of hours of business, saying that he would be grateful if Ministers tabled a provision to that effect. I congratulate him on the influence that he has brought to bear in ensuring that just that has happened. Secondly, the motion structures a division of time over the three days to ensure that sufficient time is given to discuss the clauses of most interest to the House—that is the case with clause 8 and its hook for the discussion of a referendum, and with clause 6, which covers the amending provision and new oversight powers for Parliament.