Clause 31 - Duty to make references in
Enterprise Bill
5:00 pm

Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne, Conservative)

May I have your guidance, Mr. Conway? Amendment No. 177, which I am sure is totally estimable and will make the world a thoroughly better place, does not seem to feature in the selection list. Did we deal with it earlier?

Mr Derek Conway (Old Bexley and Sidcup, Conservative)

Perhaps I might help the hon. Member, in case he gets in deep water. The matter has previously been debated. Obviously, the Committee has covered a lot of ground, and memory fails us all from time to time.

Mr Ken Purchase (Wolverhampton North East, Labour/Co-operative)

On a point of order, Mr. Conway. I was also somewhat stunned by the procedure but recalled your earlier words. I wonder whether you would help the Committee by mentioning that an amendment has been previously debated but the question on it not put. That would be enormously helpful and save a scramble through the papers.

Mr Derek Conway (Old Bexley and Sidcup, Conservative)

That is certainly possible. As I mentioned earlier, if an hon. Member indicates a wish to divide the Committee on amendments that have been previously debated, I will put the question formally. Government amendment No. 177 was previously debated, but the Under-Secretary must formally move Government amendments. That is part of our quirky, wonderful procedure.

Clause 31, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 32 to 35 ordered to stand part of the Bill.