Mark Hoban (Shadow Minister, Treasury; Fareham, Conservative)

On a point of order, Mr. Gale. The order of consideration of the Bill has been varied to enable us to move on after the current provision to part 1. The purpose of reordering the order of consideration was to enable members of the Committee to have access to the code of practice referred to in clause 5 before the relevant date. The Economic Secretary to the Treasury said in the evidence session and at other points that the code of practice would be made available today. As of 10 minutes ago, I had not received the code of practice. I wonder whether it is the intention of Treasury officials to ensure that it is circulated.

Roger Gale (North Thanet, Conservative)

Strictly speaking, the provision of all Government papers is a matter for the Department involved, not for the Chair, but if the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury wishes to respond, I should be pleased to allow her to do so.

Angela Eagle (Parliamentary Secretary, HM Treasury; Wallasey, Labour)

Yes. The code of practice should have been sent today. It is a surprise that the hon. Member for Fareham has not got it, so we will check to see—

Mark Todd (South Derbyshire, Labour)

Nobody has got it.

Angela Eagle (Parliamentary Secretary, HM Treasury; Wallasey, Labour)

Well, if nobody has it, I will personally check to see where it is. It is obviously for the convenience of the Committee that that important document in draft form is available, so I thank the hon. Member for Fareham for bringing the matter to my attention. I will certainly investigate.

Roger Gale (North Thanet, Conservative)

It clearly is important to the Committee that the relevant documents are available in a timely fashion, so I am sure that if officials dealt with that, the Committee would be grateful.