Commons Bill [Lords]
10:30 am
James Paice (Shadow Minister (Agriculture & Rural Affairs), Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; South East Cambridgeshire, Conservative)
May I addmy welcome to you, Miss Begg? In light of the Minister’sreference to both Chairmen being Scots, I am sure that we shall havecomplete impartiality from the Chair—even more than we wouldhave done—as the Bill is solely to do with commons in Englandand Wales. The hon. Gentleman referred to the stars of the debate onSecond Reading. It was not the longest debate in the history of debatesin the House of Commons; nevertheless the Bill involves many issues.Although it will not grab partisan headlines, a lot of matters willaffect many ordinary people, farmers and others throughout thecountry.
I confessthat, during my preparation for the Bill, I was surprised how manydifferent issues arose. I have many matters on which to challenge theMinister and I know from working with him on previous Bills—Ican say “with” not “against”—that heis always open to constructive proposals. I am sure that we are lookingforward to his constructive responses. Several wrinkles need to beironed out. Questions need to be asked and, in some cases, changes needto be made despite the excellent work of the House of Lords in itsconsideration of the Bill. However, unusually, it did not get the Billentirely right so I am happy to support the programmemotion.