Identity Cards Bill
10:30 am
Edward Garnier (Shadow Minister, (Assisted By Shadow Law Officers); Harborough, Conservative)
I am grateful to the Minister for the gentle way in which he introduced the motion, but I do not agree with a word that he said. He asked for discipline. Well, Mr. Hood, I think that you and your co-Chairman, Mr. Gale, would both agree that we have not been ill-disciplined during the proceedings. There has been no interruption from a Minister or the Government Whip to say that the Opposition have been wasting time and prolonging debate for the sake of it. Although the Parliamentary Under-Secretary attempted at one stage to suggest that a wrecking amendment had been tabled, I was able to correct him with the backing of Mr. Gale. No such amendment had been tabled—and if one had, it certainly would not have been selected.
As far as procedure and what has appeared on the amendment paper are concerned, there can be no criticism from the Government.