I move: "That the Second Stage be ordered for this day week."
Bula Limited (Acquisition of Shares) Bill, 1977: Order for Second Stage.
Is that satisfactory?
No. It is a pity that the Minister is not here. I requested from the Minister's private secretary by telephone yesterday morning and again today a copy of the agreement between Bula Holdings, Patrick Wright and Others, and the Minister for Industry and Commerce dated 12th December, 1975, which is referred to six times in this Bill. I have not got the agreement or any indication as to when it might be provided, and as the Parliamentary Secretary is no doubt aware it will be impossible for this House to deal with the Bill, which is quite short and innocuous, unless the agreement which is constantly referred to in virtually every section is circulated. It should have been circulated either as a Schedule to the Bill or as a separate document at the same time as the Bill. Unless we have that agreement in advance we could not agree to this Bill. Unless we have that agreement a week in advance we could not agree to this Bill being ordered for this day week. I do not know what size this agreement is, but agreements of this kind are frequently very lengthy technical documents which require a great deal more study than the Bill itself, and the Bill cannot be taken unless we get adequate notice of the agreement.
I need hardly inform the Deputy or the House that neither the contents of the Bill nor its merits arise at this stage. The only issue is the date for the Second Stage.
I do not know but I will try to discover what has happened to this agreement and, if the House agrees, we might leave this over until tomorrow morning.
I agree, on the understanding that it has not now been ordered for next Tuesday.
Debate adjourned.