Concerned about a potential delay to the progress of the Equality Bill, John Bercow calls on the Leader of the House of Commons to provide a timetable for the Bill's publication.

John Bercow (Buckingham) (Con): I endorse wholeheartedly the comments made by the hon. Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Mrs. Hodgson).

In the light of the statement that the right hon. and learned Lady made on Thursday 5 March at column 1007 of the Official Report that the equality Bill will be introduced “in a few months”, may we please have a statement on the timetable for its publication and progress? As an enthusiastic supporter of the Bill, may I say that, although my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) greeted the potential delay that that statement implied with joy and exultation, to me the possibility of having to wait till June, July or beyond represents a cruel and degrading punishment, potentially beyond endurance?

Several hon. Members rose—

Mr. Speaker: Order. A few hon. Members are left who wish to ask a question, and I should have stopped at half-past the hour. The Deputy Speaker can take the questions, but I ask that they be brief. That is only fair.

Ms Harman: There is no delay in the equality Bill; we will introduce it as I said.