Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 13 Rhagfyr 1973.
Miss Bernadette Devlin
, Mid-Ulster
12:00,
13 Rhagfyr 1973
The hon. Gentleman has raised this point in several debates, and I am a little concerned by his attitude that if one is opposed to something one is not allowed to accept reality. I know that I am opposed to the Bill. I also know that it will be passed by this House. It is not fair for the hon. Gentle- man to imply that I am guilty of some kind of irregularity. I am quite entitled to say that I think the whole scheme will not work, and then to take it in detail and say "If you are going to have it, then let us have some straightforward answers about how you will do it." I am entitled to do that.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
