Clause 5 - Funding for pension purposes
Police (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords]
3:15 pm
Ms Angela Smith (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Northern Ireland Office; Basildon, Labour/Co-operative)
I appreciate that the hon. Gentleman is trying to be reasonable, as he assures us he always is, but the word ''reasonably'' would be superfluous in the provision. Not only is the current Secretary of State reasonable, but we would contend that all Secretaries of State are reasonable. If the Secretary of State made an unreasonable request, he would be subject to judicial review, whether or not the word ''reasonably'' appeared in the legislation. On that basis, I urge the hon. Gentleman to withdraw the amendment.