Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill
Ms Angela Eagle (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office; Wallasey, Labour)
I beg to move,
That in the Order of the Committee of 30th April 2002 relating to programming, the following shall be substituted for the entries in the Table for the 2nd to 8th sittings—
''2nd, 3rd and 4th Clauses 14 to 33 7pm at 4th sitting 5th and 6th Clauses 34 to 58 9.55 pm at 6th sitting 7th and 8th Clauses 94 to 126, Schedule 7, Clauses 127 to 129 7 pm at 8th sitting 9th and 10th Clause 59, Schedule 3, Clauses 60 to 78, Schedule 4, Clauses 79 to 90, Schedules 5 and 6, Clauses 91 to 93, New Clauses, New Schedules and remaining proceedings on the Bill. 9.55 pm at 10th sitting''.
I shall spend a couple of minutes explaining why we reconvened the Programming Sub-Committee this morning. We want to create the potential for another sitting on 21 May, if it is needed. That may be useful, because we expect to table new appeal proposals on Tuesday, and the change will give hon. Members an extra seven days to seek advice and form opinions on the new procedures. I hope that that is convenient.
Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham, Conservative)
I am grateful for the Minister's explanation and for the generous time available to scrutinise the Bill. The official Opposition have no objection and concur with the Government's proposal.
Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey, Liberal Democrat)
As the Minister knows, we anticipated that we would need extra time, and if there are to be significant new clauses, it is logical to have time to examine and debate them properly. My only question concerns the final two sittings. Is it not more logical to deal with the provisions on initial decisions before appeals? She may not be able to give an immediate response, but will that point be considered?
Ms Angela Eagle (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office; Wallasey, Labour)
We had a quick look at it in the Programming Sub-Committee and did not see much difference, but I shall keep the hon. Gentleman's request in mind.
Question put and agreed to.
Mr Eric Illsley (Barnsley Central, Labour)
Before we resume the debate, I should make it clear that that change means that the proceedings that were to be completed by 11.25 am, as detailed on the selection list, must now be completed by 7 pm. I hope that all hon. Members are clear about that.