§ Mr. MillanI beg to move amendment No. 163, in page 34, line 4, leave out from ' applies ' to ' and ' in line 5.
Mr. Deputy SpeakerWith this it will be convenient to take the following amendments :
Government amendment No. 164.
No. 165, in page 34, line 10, leave out from ' granted ' to ' and ' in line 12.
Government amendment No. 166.
§ Mr. MillanThe effect of this amendment is to make the provisions apply to contracts whether created before or after the commencement of this clause. Government amendments Nos. 164 and 166—I hope that I am reading them correctly—do exactly the same thing. I do not mind the wording, but if that is the intention of the Government I am glad that I tabled my amendment first. I am also glad that the Government are following suit.
§ Mr. RifkindI am happy to confirm that the Government amendments achieve exactly the same purpose as the Opposition amendments. The draftsmen have advised me that, in their view, their drafting is preferable. I do not wish to make a major issue out of it, but I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for indicating that he will not press his amendment.
§ Mr. MillanI am grateful for the Minister's remarks. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
§ Amendment, by leave, withdrawn
§ Amendments made :
§ No. 164, in page 34, line 5, at beginning insert ' before or'.
§ No. 166, in page 34, line 10, after ' granted ', insert ' before or'.—[Mr. Rifkind.]