– in a Public Bill Committee at on 16 March 2006.
Mike Hancock
Liberal Democrat, Portsmouth South
9:00,
16 March 2006
Before we begin, on behalf of the Committee I send kind thoughts and hopes for a speedy recovery to Maria Eagle. I am sorry that she is not with us today.
Mike Hancock
Liberal Democrat, Portsmouth South
The Minister agrees with that sentiment wholeheartedly. I understand that she wishes to move an Amendment to the programme order. Copies of the motion are available in the room. It is debatable for up to half an hour. However, under the terms of Standing Order No. 83C(10), if any Member signals his objection the motion will lapse.
Beverley Hughes
Minister of State (Children, Young People and Families), Department for Education and Skills, Minister of State (Education and Skills) (Children, Young People and Families)
I beg to move,
That the Order of the Committee of 13th March 2006 be amended by—
(a)the insertion after paragraph (1)(b) of—
“(c)at 10.30 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. on Tuesday 21st March;”,
and
(b)the substitution in paragraph (3) of “7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 21st March” for “4.00 p.m. on Thursday 16th March”.
As you say, Mr. Hancock, members of the Committee are aware of the intention behind the motion.
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.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
