[Mr. Roger Gale in the Chair]

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Before we proceed, it is my duty to inform the Committee that on the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Tuesday 5 May 2009 the money resolution was approved, and therefore all matters pertaining to the Bill are now debatable.

On a point of order, Mr. Gale. I beg to move,

That further consideration of the Bill be now adjourned for a second time.

I feel that I should explain to you and the Committee, Mr. Gale, my reason for proposing the motion. We have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is  that I again ask the Committee’s permission to adjourn, but the good news is that both Ministers sitting opposite me are currently in negotiations with me and others to see whether we can come up with a form of legislation that the Government feel able to accept. They have indicated to me—the Health Minister is nodding—that they are willing to consider putting a Bill of this nature through to become an Act, provided that we can reach some agreement.

The Bill is of great importance to a large number of people and their families throughout the country, and I am very grateful for cross-party support, and to everyone on the Committee for turning out today. I hope that they will bear with us, because I hope to bring back, with the assistance of Ministers, something that we can all discuss again and that the Government may feel able to accept. That is possibly a worthwhile route to chart for the Bill, so I ask for further consideration to be adjourned until next Wednesday.

I am prepared to accept the hon. Lady’s motion.

Questionput and agreed to.

Adjourned till Wednesday 13 May at half-past Two o’clock.