Clause 6 - Power of Secretary of State to require registration
Identity Cards Bill
4:30 pm
Patrick Mercer (Shadow Minister (Homeland Security), (Assisted By Shadow Law Officers); Newark, Conservative)
I thank the Minister for his eminently reasonable approach and explanation. We shall attempt to be reasonable as well. The last sitting of the Bill, which many of us in this Room will remember, was marked by ill-humour, unpleasantness and extreme tedium, and I am so pleased that the Minister has been able to point out that, however small our achievements were with the last Bill, this is an achievement. It is not a party political achievement, but one that, if the Bill makes it into an Act, will make it a better Act. To that end, I am satisfied with the fact that we have the code of practice on penalties in clause 36. I was going to challenge the Minister on why we could not have the same amendment introduced here to clause 6, with the wording ''without reasonable excuse''. His explanation is extremely lucid. I hardly dare say the words, Mr. Gale, but I am now completely satisfied with what the Minister said. I am extremely grateful to him, and to his and the other Minister's predecessor, who listened to our points during the last debate. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.