HL Deb 10 October 2002 vol 639 cc411-2

3.38 p.m.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Filkin)

My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The effect of the Motion is that, when we have dealt tonight with Amendment No. 78, which is the last amendment to Part 7, we will stop. The Bill will be reprinted tomorrow. The new government amendments to Parts 3, 5 and 8 will be retabled, and amendments in response to them will, no doubt, be tabled. Next Thursday, 17th October, we will go back into Committee on Parts 3, 5 and 8. The Bill will be reprinted again the following day, and further amendments may be tabled to Parts 3, 5 and 8.

The usual channels have agreed that Report stage for Parts 3, 5 and 8 will take place on Thursday 24th October. If there are procedural questions about these arrangements I suggest that they should be directed to the Clerks. I beg to move.

Moved, That, when consideration on Report of Parts 1,2,4,6 and 7 of the Bill has been completed, the Bill be recommitted to a Committee of the Whole House in respect of Parts 3, 5 and 8.—(Lord Filkin.)

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, I must ask the Minister whether that is correct. Should not questions of procedure be addressed to the Front Benches, as opposed to the Clerks?

Lord Filkin

My Lords, I am sure that the noble Earl is, as so often, technically correct. I sought to ensure that we had the quickest way of getting an accurate and detailed answer.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

My Lords, I thank the Minister for moving the Motion. It shows that the Government listened to the concerns that were expressed in all parts of the House on Monday. I am glad that the Government have decided to do the right thing.

I shall not go into detailed questions—I am invited to direct them elsewhere—but I would like clarification from the Minister on one matter. He referred to the new government amendments being retabled. Before my arrival in the Chamber about 10 minutes ago, I went via the Printed Paper Office and discovered that it has no knowledge of the tabling in the first instance of the new government clauses. Will the Minister assist us as to when they will appear?

Lord Filkin

My Lords, my understanding is that all of the substantial government amendments were tabled yesterday. I will double check that. What I was reading out in terms of my speaking note was the process for retabling them because they have gone through a different process of being recommitted. I am advised that they are in the Marshalled List.

Lord Tebbit

My Lords, could the practice of turning questions from Ministers to the Clerks in order to obtain accurate answers be more widely practised?

Lord Filkin

My Lords, I think that is excellent advice.

On Question, Motion agreed to.