Title
Police and Justice Bill
5:30 pm
Hazel Blears (Minister of State (Policing, Security and Community Safety), Home Office; Salford, Labour)
I thank all members of the Committee for the generally very good-tempered proceedings that we have enjoyed today and in our previous sittings. I particularly thank you, Mr. Pope, and Mr. Conway for the excellent way in which you have presided over our proceedings. We have all benefited from your clear direction and your assistance in ensuring that we have made expeditious progress. We had one or two moments when there were unusual declarations of interest that were challenging for all of us, and we are grateful for your guidance.
I also thank all of the officials involved with the Bill, the Clerks to the Committee and everybody who has assisted us in our considerations. I also genuinely thank the Opposition spokesmen from both parties. We have managed to make good progress and we have agreed on the vast majority of the Bill’s provisions. There are one or two points that remain between us, and I am sure that we will have a chance to discuss them further on Report.
I also thank all my hon. Friends in the Committee for their forbearance, their constant and regular attendance and their rapt attention, which I have felt on my back throughout. As ever, I am grateful for their knowledge and insight into the issues with which we have dealt.
I particularly thank our Whip and the Opposition Whip, who have ensured that we have made extremely good progress and been able to finish a little before our programmed time. That is always the mark of a good and efficient Committee.