Crime (International Co-operation) Bill [Lords]
9:10 am
Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome, Liberal Democrat)
I, too, welcome you to the Committee, Mr. Benton. For those of us who are involved regularly in the legislative incontinence of the Home Office and the Lord Chancellor's Department, it is nice to be back in the Room, albeit for a slightly briefer time than that we spent considering the Criminal Justice Bill, in which so many of us were involved.
I am also content with the programming motion. We have had the benefit of constructive discussions. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Nottingham, East, whom I fear that I constantly embarrass by saying how co-operative he is in such matters. He did a good job of ensuring that we had as good a run at the Criminal Justice Bill as was possible within the confines of a restricted timetable. I am confident that he will take the same action on this Bill.
We have serious matters to discuss about the English and Welsh jurisdictions as well in the Scottish jurisdiction. I am glad that my hon. Friend the Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) is a member of the Committee. He knows about Scots law, as a result of which he is potentially unique in Committee. I hope that he will be listened to, especially in respect of Scottish matters. It is now best to proceed with the Bill with due dispatch.
Question put and agreed to.