Clause 9 - Annual reports
Export Control Bill
10:30 am
Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North, Labour)
I beg to move amendment No. 5, in page 6, line 2, leave out
``as soon as practicable after the end of 2002''
and insert
``within seven months after the end of 2001''.
The amendment is one of the less important of those that I tabled to this clause, so I shall not press it. However, I appeal to the Government to show good faith in the matter and deal with reports expeditiously. More widely, I hope that they will show flexibility and openness in considering amendments to the Bill. Whether on clause 9 or other parts of the Bill, I hope that the Government intend to look carefully at the possibility of permitting prior scrutiny. That was recommended by the Quadripartite Committee, and was fully expanded on on Second Reading. It is done in other legislatures, and I know that the Secretary of State has promised various hon. Members that she will consider the matter. I ask the Minister to look at my suggestion sympathetically, and I hope that it will be debated on Report.