New clause 17 - DISCRIMINATION ON THE GROUNDS OF
Equality Bill [Lords]
2:30 pm
Roger Gale (North Thanet, Conservative)
I must be going soft in my old age. Not only were the previous five minutes entirely out of order, but I allowed one hon. Member to raise a constituency matter in a wholly inappropriate context, and allowed the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon to intervene on a point of order, which is also completely out of order. While we are out of order, I thank the Committee for the courtesy and good humour with which it has conducted business. I know that Janet Anderson would want to express appreciation of the thanks that have been given, and to thank the Committee for the extremely amicable conduct of the business.
I thank the Officers of the House, also. We could not do the job that we are required to do, sometimes in difficult circumstances, without their assistance, and we are most grateful. It is slightly premature, but this will be my last chance to do it, so I wish all members of the Committee a happy Christmas and a highly politically consensual new year. [Interruption.] Don't go yet! We have not finished.
Question put and agreed to.
Bill, as amended, to be reported.
Committee rose at thirteen minutes to Three o'clock.