---

Business of the House

The hon. Gentleman knows that I agree that we need to reform the process for private Members' legislation. When we discussed this a week or so ago, it was agreed that the Procedure Committee would look into the matter and bring forward proposals. I hope that its members will also speak to the Backbench Business Committee so that we can have the benefit of the views of both Committees. It would certainly be to the benefit of the House if we could improve the way in which we deal with private Members' business and put an end to the procedural nonsense that we have at the moment.