Equine Welfare (Ragwort Control) Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 9:45 am on 15 May 2003.
Eric Illsley
Labour, Barnsley Central
With this it will be convenient to discuss the following:
New Clause 1—Wales—
'(1) The reference to the Weeds Act 1959 (c.54) in Schedule 1 to the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/ 672) is to be treated as referring to that Act as amended by this Act.
(2) Subsection (1) does not affect the power to make further Orders varying or omitting that reference.'.
John Greenway
Conservative, Ryedale
The Amendment and new Clause make it clear that the Bill applies only to England and Wales, although I hope that the Scottish Parliament will take note of what we have done and introduce a comparable measure in due course. I hope to visit Perth race course later this month—not, sadly, for a race meeting, but to speak at a dinner. On the assumption that we make progress today, I can say that I shall spread the word, not the ragwort.
Alun Michael
Minister of State (Rural Affairs), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
May I simply confirm that the hon. Gentleman is right about the impact of the Amendment, as the Bill will have effect only in England and Wales. The amendment does not affect the possibility of a similar measure being introduced in Scotland if that is the wish of those with responsibility for such matters there.
Amendment agreed to.
Clause 4, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
