On a point of order arising out of the amendment you have just read, I happen to have an amendment dealing with the preamble in somewhat different terms.
AMENDMENT TO BE MOVED BY THOMAS JOHNSON.
I have not received a copy of it.
I was going to say that I was reserving it for the Committee stage, where I thought it would more properly arise. So there are two amendments dealing with the deletion of the preliminary and substitution of the preamble—one that has been notified in respect of the Second Reading, and one that I propose to notify in respect of the Third Reading, where I thought it would more properly arise. Does one exclude the other, or what happens?
One does not exclude the other.
After the debate on the Second Reading, an amendment can be raised in the Third Reading?
Certainly.
On a point of information, may I ask when should amendments for the Third Reading be handed in?
The amendments to Standing Orders say that amendments to a motion to be moved must be handed in within a certain period. At the same time, it would be desirable that Deputies who have amendments for the Committee stage would let us have them as soon as possible.
Is it practicable or usual that amendments for a later stage be handed in before the preceding stage is disposed of?
It isn't practicable, except that we have got only one amendment for the second stage. Other amendments might, therefore, be framed in the interval.
Are we to assume, when the Bill is before us in Committee, that a previous day's notice is necessary for an amendment—that it cannot be brought forward during the course of the debate, even for the slightest alteration of words?
Standing Orders are being amended again, and that can be arranged for.