Clause 21 - Electoral commission exercise of functions
Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill
6:15 pm
Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
I do not accept that at all. We all thought that the Electoral Commission had been established to deliver an element of impartiality and objectivity. The proper procedure is that it should do its work and produce its advice. If in the cold light of day Ministers cannot accept some of it, they will not accept it. If they have not proceeded correctly, they will leave themselves open to judicial review of their decision.
The Minister wants to have his cake and eat it. He wants to be able to constrain the consideration at the outset, then reject its conclusion if he does not like it. That will be the effect. I am astonished that both Ministers are so aggressive in defending what they are doing, because it seems to me quite indefensible. That is a significant matter, and I have not heard a satisfactory response on it.
However, my hon. Friend the Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne), who is charged with ensuring that progress in the Committee is swift, would, I am sure, not urge me to press the amendment to a Division at this time, so I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Clause 21 ordered to stand part of the Bill.