Jim Murphy (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Cabinet Office; Renfrewshire East, Labour)

I beg to move amendment No. 56, in clause 27, page 15, line 24, after ‘instrument’ insert:

‘or any provision of a Community instrument’.

Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield, Conservative)

With this it will be convenient to discuss Government amendments Nos. 57 to 60.

I give notice that I shall seek the Committee’s permission to put amendments Nos. 57 to 60 together, and I hope that the Committee will give me that permission if it will speed up proceedings.

Jim Murphy (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Cabinet Office; Renfrewshire East, Labour)

Forgive me for not following the detail of your strictures, Sir Nicholas; do you wish me to move all the amendments simultaneously?

Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield, Conservative)

The Minister can move Government amendment No. 56 and speak to the other amendments as well.

Jim Murphy (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Cabinet Office; Renfrewshire East, Labour)

Thank you; that is very helpful.

Oliver Heald (Shadow Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs & Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Assisted By Shadow Solicitor General), Constitutional Affairs; North East Hertfordshire, Conservative)

It seems to me that the amendments are just drafting improvements. Does the Minister agree?

Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield, Conservative)

I am sure that the Minister is just about to say that.

Jim Murphy (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Cabinet Office; Renfrewshire East, Labour)

The first sentence of my notes says:

“Sir Nicholas, these are drafting amendments.”

In making that helpful point, the hon. Gentleman has unexpectedly delayed the Committee for 15 seconds or so. However, we have time; we have another two hours.

These are technical drafting amendments that are aimed at improving a technical clause to make it more precise. I could, if hon. Members wish—[Hon. Members: “No.”] I could, if hon. Members wish, sit down and make no further comment; or I could of course go through every amendment in great detail. I sense that the Committee, which has been in a good mood all day, is in the mood for me not to speak to the amendments in great detail. I do so formally, therefore, on the basis that they are drafting amendments to make the provisions in the clause more precise.

Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield, Conservative)

I have to carry out my duties strictly in accordance with the appropriate procedure. I therefore put the question.