Short title

I beg to move amendment No. 48, in clause 77, page 37, line 30, leave out subsection (2).

The amendment will remove the privilege amendment made in another place. It is a technical change, but an important one. As hon. Members are aware, the financial powers of the other place are restricted by the rights and privileges of the House and by the Parliament Acts. As the Bill originated in the other place and contains financial powers, a privilege amendment was added to it before its introduction in this House to ensure that the House’s financial privileges were not infringed.

This technical amendment is therefore necessary to remove the privilege amendment, which provided that nothing in the Bill should impose or vary any charge on the people or public funds. It is as much about parliamentary rules as it is about the Bill itself, but it is nevertheless necessary.

Let no one say that we do not learn something in these Committees—I confess to a possible moment of excitement when we saw a Government amendment suddenly lurch forward at the last minute. We were on clause 48 and on Tuesday my office went into full excitement mode—even more than usual—but, lo and behold, it is a technical amendment and does not afford us the opportunity to scrutinise the Minister at great length. It is entirely sensible and so, with a slight hint of disappointment, I will not oppose it.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 77, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.