Derek Conway (Old Bexley & Sidcup, Conservative)

Good morning. Before we start, I would like to inform the Committee about arrangements for this afternoon. Members will have noticed that there is a debate on the Floor of the House on a Ways and Means resolution relating to the Bill, which will start at the beginning of public business. Mr. Hood and I propose that the Committee resume its consideration 10 minutes after the conclusion of the debate and any Division. If the Committee is content with that, it seems a sensible way forward.

Stephen O'Brien (Shadow Minister, Health; Eddisbury, Conservative)

On a point of order, Mr. Conway. When we resume 10 minutes after the debate—at whatever time that is, depending on whether there is a statement—will we have the same amount of time that we would have had: in other words, will the time be effectively sheared, not truncated?

Derek Conway (Old Bexley & Sidcup, Conservative)

We do not know when the Ways and Means resolution will be taken this afternoon. The ten-minute Bill may be divided on or there may be Government statements—it is beyond the control of the Committee. On when the Committee adjourns this evening, as there is no knife set for today it will be for the Government Whip to move the Adjournment, and I am sure that that will be discussed in the usual way. If the Committee sits very late, it remains within the power of the Chairman to suspend for a break, but the Committee itself will decide when to adjourn.