Schedule 4
Legal Services Bill [Lords]
12:00 pm
Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield, Conservative)
I first come to one or two little domestic matters. I am delighted to be back from the Falkland Islands, where I was in the company of other Members of Parliament, not least the Minister of State responsible for the armed services, as well as Lord Parkinson and his wife, representing Baroness Thatcher, my wife and the shadow Defence Secretary. We attended ceremonies, with hundreds of veterans and the families of those who lost their lives in that conflict 25 years ago. It was a wonderful experience, and the ceremonies in various parts of the islands where memorials were dedicated by the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, were very moving occasions. They were much appreciated by all present: service personnel, islanders and politicians who were down there as guests of the Falkland Islands Government and the Ministry of Defence.
I am back here, however, to ensure that we make a little more progress than I understand we have been making, and I am pretty tough. However, it is warm and humid, and although I am not normally known for taking off my jacket—I may be forced to do so later on—I am happy that those who wish to may do so.
I would also like to ask colleagues—at some stage, perhaps towards the end of this Committee stage—to indicate to myself and to Mr. Cook their satisfaction with the new process of the explanatory statements. Are they helping to ensure more informed debate? It would be helpful to the Chairmen’s Panel—to myself and to my co-Chairmen—to hear from hon. Members to hear how efficiently and effectively they believe that the new process is. It puts our Clerks Department under quite a lot of extra pressure, but if the new system helps the Committee and the House, I believe that we should stick with it. I hope that it is helpful.
When the Committee rose, I understand that the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst was on his feet moving the amendment. I ask him to resume his speech.