Mr John Taylor (Solihull, Conservative)

Clause 18 applies the Bill's provisions to the Crown, although the Crown, as opposed to its employees, will not be liable to prosecution for a criminal offence. A local authority will be able to investigate and determine complaints about high hedges on Crown land—for example, if a hedge on land owned by a Government Department affects neighbouring domestic property. I hope that that brief explanation provides clarification.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 18 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 19 and 20 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Mr John Taylor (Solihull, Conservative)

On a point of order, Mrs Michie. This may be a mild abuse of a point of order, but it is well intended. I am sure that members of the Committee will want to join me in thanking you for your kind and helpful chairing of our proceedings. It has always been a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship and today has been typically so. In 18 years as a Member of Parliament, I have not had a private Member's Bill before. It has been an interesting experience I also thank the Minister and, although I cannot see them, as they are not in the Room, his officials, who have been particularly helpful to me. Finally, I thank friends and colleagues from all parties who have helped me to get this far. I might even make the statute book—who knows? The determinant of whether the Bill reaches the statute book will not be want of support, but it might be want of time.

Mrs Ray Michie (Argyll & Bute, Liberal Democrat)

Thank you for that point of order. I have enjoyed chairing the Committee. The sitting has been one of the swiftest and most co-operative that I have ever chaired and it has been a pleasant experience. I add my thanks to the staff who have helped with our proceedings, especially our Clerk, Nick Walker, for his invaluable, clever and helpful information.

Bill to be reported, without amendment.

Committee rose at twenty-four minutes to Twelve o'clock.