Abortion Bill Debate

Abortion Bill Debate; ENGLAND: London: Westminster: Victoria Tower Gardens: EXT David Steel MP interview SOF (Q - is there any room for compromise between yourselves and your principal opponents on this Bill now?) - I don't think so, we've reached terms, we've gone past all the points of principle which we discussed on the last all-night sitting we are now on technical events and I think they are relatively minor, I think the opponents are now reduced to simply to time wasting. (Q - Do you in fact personally challenge your opponents right to keep the discussion going, as long as they can?) - I don't challenge their right to oppose the Bill by prolonging discussion, no, I don't challenge that. What I think I do challenge is their unnecessary debate on small amendments which is deliberately time wasting, and which I think is unfair to people like the Speaker of the House and others who have to serve us here. I think its gone beyond reasonable discussion, when its gets to that stage. 2-shot Stevas and Haviland (exterior) Norman St John-Stevas MP interview SOF - What I hope to do is to have a very full end detailed discussion clause by clause of the Bill. I'm not trying to filibuster again but I think we do need a detailed discussion, secondly I think we must make a protest against the Government action in putting on a Bill of this nature involving vital matters of life and death; and the whole morality of the nation to be discussed at half past ten in the evening and they've done it when members of Parliament should be in bed and trying to legislate. (Q - Lot of them agree with you, but the Government believe that the House has had long discussions and they have had twelve sessions in committee, two on the report stage. The house now have a chance to decide, isn't this right?) - What the Government decided is to back this Bill up to the hilt and avoid the appearance of doing so. Neg. 16mm. ITN 1.49mins 68ft Tx 13.7.67/NAT 48230