When is it proposed to take Second Stage?
Finance Bill, 1982: Leave to Introduce.
Leave granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to charge and impose certain duties of customs and inland revenue (including excise), to amend the law relating to customs and inland revenue (including excise) and to make further provisions in connection with finance.
—(Minister for Finance.)
The Bill will be circulated in the first week in June and it will then be a matter for agreement between the Whips as to when the Second Stage will be taken.
We shall have to fix some date.
The second week in June.
Why is the order being moved at this stage if the Bill will not be ready for circulation for three weeks more? Has the Bill been passed by the Government?
It is normal to move the First Stage before the Bill is circulated.
I am well aware of that, but I am raising the matter because there is an unusual gap between this Stage and the actual circulation of the Bill. Has the Bill been approved by the Government yet?
I do not think that this is unusual. The average over the last six years is 69 days with the exception of one year when it was 89 days in 1974.
Has the Bill been approved by the Government?
It is before the Government at present.
Could we fix a provisional date?
Wednesday, 9 June.
We are moving a Bill that has not been approved by the Government yet.
It is normal procedure.
Second Stage ordered for Wednesday, 9 June 1982.
No. 10, Estimates for Public Services. Deputy Bellew is in possession and he has 35 minutes.
(Interruptions.)