(Except Clauses 4, 19, 23, 26 to 29, 87 to 92, 131 and 134 and Schedules 1, 5 and 38)
Finance Bill
10:30 am
Ms Dawn Primarolo (Paymaster General, HM Treasury; Bristol South, Labour)
I beg to move,
That, during proceedings on the Finance Bill (except Clauses 4, 19, 23, 26 to 29, 87 to 92, 131 and 134 and Schedules 1, 5 and 38), the Committee do meet on Tuesdays at half-past Ten o'clock and half-past Four o'clock and on Thursdays at half-past Nine o'clock and half-past Two o'clock.
Good morning, Mr. Gale. I welcome you to the Chair. I speak for the whole Committee in saying that we welcome your expertise and know that you will keep us on the straight and narrow while not allowing us, however much we may be tempted, to stray on to matters that are not strictly relevant. I know that you and Mr. Benton will have a light touch so long as the Committee conforms to required conduct.
I welcome the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow), who will lead for the Opposition. I know that he relishes the opportunity of scrutinising Government business and I look forward to the many ways in which he explains, describes and challenges it with his vast vocabulary. I know that my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary, too, is looking forward to those discussions.
I also welcome the right hon. Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack), who is an experienced member of the Committee, having been Financial Secretary and having participated in most of our Finance Bills since 1997. I look forward to thoughtful and challenging debates with him.