Further written evidence to be reported to the House
Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill
9:30 am
Alistair Burt (Shadow Minister (Communities and Local Government), Communities and Local Government; North East Bedfordshire, Conservative)
I echo the Minister’s welcome to you, Mr. Chope, to these formal sittings in the more familiar surroundings of this Committee room.
On behalf of the official Opposition, I am happy to agree to the amendment. [Interruption.] There could not be a better reason for the amendment than the bedraggled state of the hon. Member for Bedford, who has arrived at exactly the right moment. There could not be a more fitting example of why the amendment is necessary. Even beyond the south-east of England,the situation is quite bad, and colleagues who haveto go back to other ends of the country will welcome the amendment, as may some members of staff.The amendment has arrived in the nick of time, notwithstanding the fact that the whole country seems to grind to a halt if there is half an inch of snow somewhere.