UK Borders Bill
1:30 pm
David Amess (Southend West, Conservative)
I have to inform the Committee that unfortunately Shami Chakrabarti is unwell and is unable to be with us for our second evidence session this afternoon. The Public Bill Office has done a brilliant job and managed to get two people in her place.
May I remind Members and witnesses that this afternoon’s oral evidence sessions must stay within the scope of the UK Borders Bill, however tempting it may be to stray into other areas, and please could everyone try to keep questions and answers concise and in order?
I also remind Members that normal rules of order apply, even when we are sitting in this unusual formation, so Members should not under any circumstances use mobile phones, laptops or PDAs at any point whatsoever during our proceedings.
Also, the Hansard writers have found it difficultto report our proceedings because some private conversations have been audible. Apparently they interfere with the microphones, and that hampers the Official Report.
Our first evidence session must finish at 3 o’clock.I would have to interrupt proceedings if they have not been concluded by then, and the same thing will happen at the end of the second evidence session, which must finish by 5 o’clock.
Would our witnesses kindly introduces themselves, without making an opening statement?