Clause 45 - Short title, repeals, commencement,
Identity Cards Bill
6:00 pm
Mr Des Browne (Minister of State (Citizenship, Immigration and Counter-Terrorism), Home Office; Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Labour)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Conway. I want to associate myself with the sentiments expressed by the hon. Members for Woking and for Sheffield, Hallam. I will not detain the Committee, but I would fail in my duty if I did not say that, in my view, we have had a full, honest and open discussion, in an appropriate spirit, of an important Bill that will affect us all.
I had some differences with Opposition Committee members about the need for a programme motion, but I believe that it helped. It provided some discipline in the timetabling of our proceedings, and I would argue that we have been able to debate nearly all the 45 clauses and two schedules in some detail. However, there are issues to which we shall return on Report.
I should like to thank Opposition Committee members, in particular the hon. Members for Woking, for Newark and for Sheffield, Hallam, for their helpful probing amendments. I thank all Committee members for their contributions, and in particular my hon. Friends for their support throughout the proceedings. I have agreed to take some matters away to reflect on, and I have written two letters to you, Mr. Conway, to provide more detailed information for the benefit of all Committee members. If our proceedings today caused a need for a further letter, I shall send that post haste.
I also thank the Clerk, for his advice and support, the officials, Hansard, the Doorkeepers and the police, who have ensured that our proceedings have run smoothly. Without the support that we have in this House, it would be much more difficult to get through difficult proceedings, never mind at the pace at which we got through these.
Perhaps unusually, I should like to thank the Whips for the way in which they helped us reach the end of the Committee. Finally, I thank Ms Anderson and you, Mr. Conway, for your courtesy, unfailing understanding and the sense of humour with which you chaired the proceedings.
Bill, as amended, to be reported.
Committee rose at two minutes past Six o'clock.