Export Control Bill
10:45 am
Mr Richard Page (South West Hertfordshire, Conservative)
I hear what the Minister has to say. I ask him carefully to consider that remark. Indeed, I would be quite happy if he withdrew it, because I believe that he is putting his career at risk. I would not want that, especially after his dramatic return to the Front Bench.
My hon. Friend the Member for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth), the hon. Member for Twickenham and the Quadripartite Committee of senior Members of the House have all said that the secondary legislation should be in place. Even my Whip, my hon. Friend the Member for North Wiltshire (Mr. Gray), has argued that that is necessary. I therefore move a manuscript amendment to the programme motion.
Manuscript amendment proposed:
``To leave out from `That' in line 1 and insert—
`the Standing Committee reports back to the House that proceedings in the Committee shall be brought to a conclusion when it shall have met for nine sittings after the production of the secondary legislation required to allow proper scrutiny of the Bill.'''--[Mr. Page.]
Question put, That the amendment be made:—
The Committee divided: Ayes 6, Noes 10.