Legal Services Bill [Lords]
10:30 am
Frank Cook (Stockton North, Labour)
I remind the Committee that copies of the money and ways and means resolutions in connection with the measure are available in the Room. I also remind hon. Members that adequate notice should be given of amendments. As a general rule, my fellow Chairman and I do not intend to call starred amendments.
While on the issue of amendments, hon. Members will already have learnt of the experimental move to insist on explanation notes for each amendment that is submitted. It has been stated that the Government should have no problem with that because they have lots of staff to write the explanatory notes, as the main Opposition parties probably do. However, individual hon. Members might require assistance so it was thought proper to remind the Committee that all hon. Members, not just the Chairman, will have very well qualified Clerks to assist and to support them. They are not exactly at their disposal, but they are here to help.
We are in Committee and it is summer time, so hon. Members have the permission of the Chair to divest themselves of only their outer, upper garments if circumstances require them to do that. We should like them to preserve comfort and be able to discuss matters with ease.