[Derek Conway in the Chair]

Motion made, and Question proposed,

That, during the proceedings on the Arms Control and Disarmament (Inspections) Bill [Lords], the Committee do meet on Tuesday 28th October at five minutes to Nine o'clock and on Thursday 30th October at five minutes to Nine o'clock and at half-past Two o'clock.—[Mr. MacShane.]

Question put and agreed to.

I call the Minister to move the order of consideration motion.

When you where a Whip, Mr. Conway, Ministers were always under firm control, and spoke only when allowed to do so—and not a moment longer.

The Bill had a good debate on Second Reading, and I sought at the time to deal with questions that were raised. Since then, I have received a letter from the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr. Simmonds) asking further technical questions. With the permission of the Committee, I shall write to the hon. Gentleman rather than reply in detail now. His questions are important, but they were dealt with on Second Reading. However, I place on record my assurance that he will receive a full reply.

I remind the Committee that the Bill makes the technical amendments necessary to implement the adapted version of the treaty on conventional armed forces in Europe, known as the CFE treaty, which was signed in Paris on 19 November 1990. That treaty was implemented so far as necessary by the Arms Control and Disarmament (Inspections) Act 1991.

Order. I asked the Minister to move the order of consideration motion, but he has started his explanation of the Bill. I ask him to move formally that our proceedings should be taken in the order shown on the Order Paper. Once that is out of the way, we can hear the Minister's speech in full.

Motion made, and Question proposed,

That the Bill be considered in the following order, namely, Clause 1, Schedules 1 and 2, clauses 2 and 3, any new Clauses, and new Schedules.—[Mr. MacShane.]

Question put and agreed to.