Mr Alun Michael (Minister of State (Rural Affairs), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Cardiff South & Penarth, Labour/Co-operative)

Although this has been a short and recalled Committee, I thank you, Mr. Pike, and ask you to thank Mrs. Roe for the way in which you have presided over this Committee. Committee members on both sides were probably reluctant to be brought back together after the long period we spent in one another's company the past. Nevertheless, we have dealt with the task that we were given by the House

and it is only right to thank the Clerk—who had to deal expeditiously with a considerable amount of business—as well as the Hansard writers, the attendants, the policemen and all those whose presence was essential to the Committee being able to complete its work.

Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire, Conservative)

May I add my thanks to you, Mr. Pike, and to Mrs. Roe, as well as the police and so on? I want to single out the work of Mr. Alan Sandall, the Clerk, who has laboured under extraordinary circumstances which were previously unknown in this place. He was able to put order into the Committee and our recent proceedings out of what can only be described as chaos and has done a great deal beyond the call of duty. I add my thanks to him and everyone else involved with the Committee today.

Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire, Liberal Democrat)

There is no doubt that this Committee has been a huge test for the staff and on behalf of all three Liberal Democrats—we stand united—I thank you, Mr. Pike, your colleague, the Clerk and so on for this exciting day.

Mr Peter Pike (Burnley, Labour)

I shall pass on the thanks to my fellow occupant of the Chair. I feel something of an interloper, having come in on this last day, and it is right that the Committee's appreciation should be passed to those who serve the Committee and make the House work.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill, as amended (on re-committal), to be reported.

Committee rose at twenty-one minutes to Six o'clock.