WES TM S TER HAUL
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DOING without Hansard for three or four days is a hardship most MPs can live with.
After all, they can always supply their local papers with copies of their immortal speeches. But when Stationery Office troubles hit the list of amendments to be considered by the Standing Committee on the Transport Bill, and Members have to make do with photograph-type copies. then snarl-ups can occur.
For instance, there was Norman Fowler just getting into his stride on Amendment No 103 when a puzzled John Horam intervened to point out that they were discussing Amendment No 105.
Not so, explained the chairman. Sir Stephen McAdden, whereupon the three of them discussed pros and cons and finally reached numerical agreement.
They had reckoned without Ian Gow. He confessed to being in a state of some confusion.
They were discussing Amendment No 103. which was described as Amendment No 105? Yes.
Then what should they call Amendment No 103?
Sir Stephen showed the ability to make instant decisions which makes him a good chairman ...No 105.
Mr Gow was obliged. George Younger was not. For Amendment No 105 did not appear on his paper.
It should be at the top of page two, Sir Stephen told him. Mr Younger checked .. . at the top of his page two was Amendment No S.
Sir Stephen was still master of the situation. In some copies page two was missing. Mr Younger had to agree that this was the case.
Back into the fray came Mr Gow, his confusion now replaced by clarity of thought. It would, he suggested, be a help if they all had similar Amendment Papers. a flawless argu ment at once taken up by the chairman. •
So they all adjourned for eight minutes — welcome break, according to Roger Moate, which should be copied at every sitting so that they could have a cup of coffee and otherwise refresh their minds.
Sir Stephen seemed quite taken with the idea. . . he admitted that he would not have minded in the slightest if someone had tabled a motion to have a break every hour.
An understandable view, for he cannot just walk out. as Liberal David Penhaligon was to do later on. He had arrived a little late. and was at once the object of attacks from Tories who apparently found him more vulnerable than the Bill.
So off went Mr Penhaligon . to do som,, Xeroxing.