Clause 42 - Rules
Inquiries Bill [Lords]
10:00 am
Mrs Anne Campbell (Cambridge, Labour)
I beg to move amendment No. 37, in clause 42, page 21, line 20, at end insert—
‘(1A)Rules under subsection (1) (a) may make provision for—
(a)consultation on the terms of reference;
(b)estimated costs at the commencement of an inquiry;
(c)estimated duration at the commencement of an inquiry.’.
It is pleasure to be sitting on a Committee under your chairmanship, Mr. Gale. I am conscious that when the Committee considered earlier clauses there was much debate that was relevant to the amendment, so I shall not speak to it for long. I hope that my hon. Friend the Minister will see fit to accept the amendment, which is very mild. It simply says:
“Rules under subsection (1) (a) may make provision for—”
and goes on to talk about
“consultation on the terms of reference; estimated costs at the commencement of an inquiry;”
and
“estimated duration at the commencement of an inquiry.”
That would not unnecessarily constrain the Government, but would set the framework for good practice. It must be noted by the Committee that the Minister has not given way on anything so far. I hope that he will break the habit of a lifetime and give way on this amendment.