Local Government Bill
Public Bill Committees, 28 January 2003, 8:55 am
Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede & Weybridge, Conservative)
On a point of order, Mr. Conway. You may have read speculation in the press about the possibility of a challenge by the Fire Brigades Union to the Government's proposal to bring forward in Committee an amendment repealing section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1947. I understand that the basis of that challenge would be that the Government failed to carry out the necessary adequate consultation before making legislative proposals.
One way to air the issues behind this particular legislative proposal adequately and thus perhaps to head off a judicial review challenge would be for adequate time to be provided in this Committee for the consideration of any proposed Government new clause. Have you had any approach from any members of the Committee about the possibility of reconvening the Programming Sub-Committee to ensure that adequate time is available to debate any such Government new clause? It would allow the Government to protect themselves against the charge of bringing forward measures that have not been adequately reviewed and considered.