Clause 15 - Short title, etc
Export Control Bill
10:00 am
Mr Robert Key (Salisbury, Conservative)
I entirely understand the reason for the amendment. It is important to probe the Government's thinking on the matter. I recall well the episode that the hon. Member for Twickenham described. There were enough blushes throughout Government to ensure that lessons were learned. Of course the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Rob Marris) is right on the technical point about the amendment's having the reverse effect to the one intended.
I hope that the Minister can convince us that lessons have indeed been learned, not only in Whitehall but in the Isle of Man which, after all, has an ancient Parliament. Its parliamentarians are astute and I have no doubt that they would not want the Isle of Man to get into the same predicament again. I hope for the Minister's reassurance, but I am glad that the hon. Member for Twickenham raised the issue.