The Smoke-Free Private Vehicles Bill is still alive, just.
We didn't think there would be time for it to progress on Friday because there were several bills ahead of it.
We were under the impression too that one MP was planning to talk for rather a long time in response to another bill. Unfortunately he had to leave early!
Instead the Smoke-Free Private Vehicles Bill sneaked in at 2.21, nine minutes before the end of the session. This allowed proposer Alex Cunningham MP to get the ball rolling before the debate was adjourned until February.
I say 'debate' but this is Parliament so there was nothing of the sort. In fact Cunningham gave way just once when he allowed Labour's David Hamilton to interject:
I am amazed when I see a mother pick up her children—and also, perhaps, those of other families—in her car on what is called the mother’s run, and the first thing she does is smoke a cigarette even though there are perhaps four or five children in that car. Does my hon. Friend agree?
Funnily enough, he did.
In contrast, when Conservative MP James Duddridge tried to comment Cunningham barked:
I am not going to give way, as I have very limited time.
Hansard records what then happened as the clock approached 2.30:
Alex Cunningham:
... I know that I am rapidly running out of time, so I shall end my remarks to give the House an opportunity to make a determination on this matter.
2.29 pm
Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) (Lab):
I—
Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans):
Order. It is 2.30. One of your best speeches, Mr Ruane.
2.30pm
The debate stood adjourned (Standing Order No. 11(2)).
Ordered, That the debate be resumed on Friday 1 February 2013.
Democracy. Don't you just love it!
Update: see Smoke-free Private Vehicles Bill (BBC)