Part of Welfare Reform Bill (Programme) (No. 2) – in the House of Commons at 6:30 pm on 10 November 2009.
Mark Harper
Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
6:30,
10 November 2009
I will be brief, Madam Deputy Speaker. I want to discuss Lords Amendment 50 in relation to the travel authorisation provisions. I welcome the amendment from the Government. It follows a similar amendment that was tabled by my noble Friends Lord Freud and Lord Taylor on Report. There was a good debate on that occasion, in which Ministers made a commitment to return with a Government amendment. This amendment effectively delivers on that promise, and it was agreed with cross-party support in the other place.
This is a sensible amendment. I could never understand why the Government were treating the powers relating to driving licences and travel authorisations in different ways, but two good things have now happened. First, we are now treating them consistently and, secondly, because Ministers will have to report back to Parliament, the affirmative resolution procedure will give this House and the other place the appropriate powers to decide whether this significant sanction should be carried forward on a permanent basis. I welcome this Lords amendment and we give it our support.
The House of Lords. When used in the House of Lords, this phrase refers to the House of Commons.
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The deputy speaker's formal title is Chairman of Ways and Means, one of whose functions is to preside over the House of Commons when it is in a Committee of the Whole House.
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