§ Lords amendment: No. 19, in page 10, line 34, leave out ("("the purchaser")")
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonI beg to move, That this House agrees with the Lords in the said amendment.
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerWith this we may discuss Lords amendments Nos. 20 to 24, 30 to 32, 34, 46 to 48, 53 to 56, 88, 98, 100, 106, 110, 113 to 119, 121, 122, 160 to 167, 190, 191, 260 to 264, 349, 375, 397, 405, 433, 435, 444, 446 to 456, 462 to 484, 536 to 539, 555, 560, 563, 564, 616, 617, 632, 637 to 649, 661, 663, 664 and 672.
§ Miss JohnsonThis large group of amendments provides a good illustration of the way in which the Bill's drafting has been improved and consistency achieved through technical refinement in another place. It is also an example of the fact that a minor drafting change to improve clarity in a Bill of this complexity can involve dozens of amendments representing absolutely no change in policy.
I am sad to see that the right hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Mr. Forth) is no longer present, but I hope that Opposition Members will not be too disappointed if I deal with the amendments fairly briefly. They achieve a number of things. First, they standardise the references in the Bill to the acceptance of deposits. Secondly, they rationalise the references to insurance. Certain amendments correct grammatical errors that we have noticed, insert, correct and delete defined terms, and correct references to other provisions that have somehow become inaccurate. I am happy to acknowledge that some of the amendments reflect points made by the Opposition, who have identified potential shortcomings in the Bill's drafting.
I am sure that hon. Members do not want me to deal with the amendments individually, despite the exhortations of the right hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst. The explanatory notes produced by the Treasury before the recess explain each of them for the benefit of those who are particularly curious.
§ Lords amendment agreed to.
§ Lords amendments Nos. 20 to 56 agreed to.