REVISION OF BUDGET SITTINGS (Business Motion)

The Minister for Law and Science and Technology (Mr E.W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name, as it appears on the Order Paper.

*The motion reads as follows:

That, notwithstanding the Standing Orders, --

(1) an additional day, namely, Monday, 17th March, 1980, be allotted for the debate on the motion for approval of the financial policy of the Government for the financial year 1980/81 moved by the Minister for Trade and Industry on 5th March, 1980; and

(2) the allotted days named by the Minister for Trade and Industry for discussion of the Main and Development Estimates for the financial year 1980/81 in Committee of Supply be, as a consequence, altered to 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 24th, 25th and 26th March, 1980.

Sir, only one day is provided under Standing Order 84 (3) for the debate on the motion for approval of the financial policy of the Government for the financial year. It appears that more than 20 Members desire to speak on the debate on the Budget. In order to give every Member an opportunity to be heard, this motion will extend the debate by one day. Sir, I think we can look forward to a little longer debate this year, perhaps a more interesting one.

Sir, on that note, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That, notwithstanding the Standing Orders, -

(1) an additional day, namely, Monday, 17th March, 1980, be allotted for the debate on the motion for approval of the financial policy of the Government for the financial year 1980/81 moved by the Minister for Trade and Industry on 5th March, 1980: and

(2) the allotted days named by the Minister for Trade and Industry for discussion of the Main and Development Estimates for the financial year 1980/81 in Commines of Supply be, as a consequence, altered to 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 24th, 25th and 26th March, 1980.