HC Deb 24 July 2000 vol 354 cc823-4

Lords amendment: No. 73, in page 135, line 21, leave out ("(4)") and insert ("(3)")

Angela Eagle

I beg to move, That this House agrees with the Lords in the said amendment.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this we may discuss Lords amendments Nos. 74 to 76.

Angela Eagle

These are minor and technical amendments to schedule 7 to correct drafting omissions. They provide for procedures in relation to the laying and drafting of regulations made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor under the schedule, which are aligned with those already provided for regulations made by the Secretary of State. They provide also that powers under the schedule to make regulations are exercisable by statutory instrument.

Lords amendment agreed to.

Remaining Lords amendments agreed to.

Motion made and Question proposed,

That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their amendments Nos. 17, 18 and 26: Mr. Richard Burden, Mr. Kevin Hughes, Mrs. Jacqui Lait, Mr. John Randall and Mr. Jeff Rooker be members of the Committee; Mr. Jeff Rooker be the Chairman of the Committee; Three to be the quorum of the Committee; Committee to withdraw immediately.—[Mr. Betts.]

Mr. Webb

I wish briefly to comment on the membership of the Committee, which contains an important omission. Liberal Democrats are not represented and the House will be aware that we have offered a distinctive perspective on major issues, including those that the Reasons Committee will be considering. I think that on most of the issues that we have debated on the Floor of the House the official Opposition have been far less trenchant in their criticisms than Liberal Democrats. The membership of the Committee should contain both Opposition parties and not only the official Opposition.

Mr. Pickles

Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker—

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Alan Haselhurst)

Order. It was not a point of order; it was a contribution to a debate.

Mr. Pickles

On whatever terms, I am most grateful to be called.

I politely point out to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) that he was not a member of the Committee and that the two of his colleagues who were members are not here today.

Question put and agreed to.

To withdraw immediately.

Reasons for disagreeing to certain Lords amendments reported, and agreed to; to be communicated to the Lords.