Communications Bill
10:30 am
Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet, Conservative)
Good morning. Welcome to what I am sure will be a fairly lengthy but harmonious and productive series of debates. Before we commence, I shall mention a few housekeeping matters. So long as I am in the Chair, hon. Members have permission to remove their jackets, if they wish to do so in this weather. On accommodation, I am advised that no other Room is available this morning, but we are negotiating to move to a slightly larger Room. The Chairman does not address the Public Gallery because we do not recognise it, but hon. Members may wish to inform friends and guests that we hope that we will be able to accommodate more people in future.
I should like formally to tell the Committee that the Programming Sub-Committee met last night and came up with the programme motion before us. I made it plain at the meeting—and I have discussed the matter with Mr. Atkinson—that, should it be necessary, I will reconvene the sub-committee as its Chairman. That may not prove necessary, but hon. Members on both sides of the House have agreed that we should have that level of flexibility.