Identity Cards Bill
10:30 am
Roger Gale (North Thanet, Conservative)
Good morning. I have a couple of housekeeping announcements to make before we begin our consideration of the Bill. While I am in the Chair, hon. Gentlemen and hon. Ladies may remove their jackets if they choose to do so for their comfort. I cannot speak for my co-Chairman, Mr. Hood, but I am sure that he will extend a similar facility.
Those who have not served under my chairmanship before may not be aware of such issues, but for the benefit of all I must say that we will have long and complex matters to discuss when we come to the substance of the Bill. Many amendments have been tabled, and it often facilitates debate to have a fairly wide-ranging discussion at the start of consideration of each clause. I am relaxed about that, but hon. Members will understand that if we have a stand part-type debate at the outset there will be no such debate at the end. That matter is very much in the Committee’s hands.
Copies of the motion agreed by the Programming Sub-Committee this morning are available in the Room. I remind the Committee that the debate on the programme motion may continue for up to half an hour. I call the Minister to move the motion.