(Except clauses 1 to 3 and 16 to 53and schedules 4 to 11)
Finance Bill
10:30 am
Mr Edward O'Hara (Knowsley South, Labour)
I welcome the Committee back. Before we commence, I shall make a statement about amendment No. 14 to schedule 13. The Government amendment to amendment No. 14 was tabled yesterday, so it is starred. On behalf of all the Chairmen, Dr. Clark made the usual pronouncement about starred amendments at the beginning of the Committee's proceedings, but there are exceptional circumstances in this case.
The background is that the Government have realised that the amendment tabled by the Opposition makes a reasonable point. However, the second part of that amendment is technically defective, and the amendment to the amendment would correct the defect. On behalf of my co-Chairmen, I assume that the Opposition would like to see their amendment made, even if it has to be modified. Although I am not in general minded to depart from the normal rules about starred amendments, in these particular circumstances, I am minded to call the amendment to the amendment, and will institute the appropriate procedure when we come to it. I am making this statement now, because members of the Committee might wish to digest the import of it before we get to that point.