Identity Cards Bill
10:45 am
John Robertson (Glasgow North West, Labour)
I had no intention of speaking. In common with many Labour Committee members, I wish to speak to other clauses, and if we were to continue in the current way I would be unable to speak to some of them. The hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) might be picking sides, but I am here to represent my constituents and the people of the country, and to speak for those who cannot speak here today. In my own humble way, I want to look after people who have a disability, or are elderly, or who might not be able to understand what is happening in respect of this Bill today. That is my job. The hon. Gentleman might think that I have chosen a side, but I happen to be a member of the Labour party and I am here to speak for those people. I take great exception to someone saying that I do not do so.
We have discussed this matter before. I sat on the Committee that dealt with the previous Bill, as did my hon. Friend the Member for Colne Valley. The hon. Member for Newark (Patrick Mercer) was a victim of his own Front-Bench colleagues in debates on that earlier Bill, when they proceeded in countless sittings to discuss the same clauses that we have spoken on so far in this Committee. I feel sorry for the hon. Gentleman; it appears that his colleagues are doing the same thing to him.
I and other Members wish to speak on other clauses, and I fear that, if we introduce knives, discussion of them might be cut out. However, the Bill should be dealt with in the period that we want; it is important for this country to get the legislation on to the statute book. I blame Opposition members for the waste of time. I want them to go and look at themselves in the mirror and realise what they may have done to people who need our representation today. It is all very well for the Opposition to turn around and blame the Government for everything, and to blame our Front Bench for introducing these measures, but if the Opposition had treated the arguments properly, and had made their points and speeches succinctly, this programme motion would not be before us today.