Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill
Public Bill Committees, 2 March 2006
9:00 am
Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield, Conservative)
It is a lovely day, and I hope that this morning’s consideration of this important Bill will be very satisfactory.
I had hoped to be in the Chair this afternoon, but I have received a surprise invitation to appear on “Question Time”. [Hon. Members: “Hear, hear.] I think that one of my colleagues is ill. Notwithstanding that, it is an opportunity not to be missed. I was first likely to be invited in 1979, when the Conservatives were in opposition, but we won the subsequent general election, and I was not invited because I was not and never have been a Front Bench spokesman or Minister. Having said that, I hope that my co-Chairman will be able to make it this afternoon.