Clause 56

Part of Terrorist Asset-Freezing Etc. Bill [Lords] – in a Public Bill Committee at 12:45 pm on 23 November 2010.

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Photo of David Hanson David Hanson Shadow Minister (Treasury) 12:45, 23 November 2010

Further to that point of order, Mr Gale. I wish to endorse the Minister’s sentiments about your chairmanship. I also pass on my thanks to your co-Chair, Mr Sheridan, who chaired the Programming Sub-Committee. I am sure that he is delighted to have this afternoon off, as well as Thursday. I endorse the Minister’s comments about the Committee Clerks, the Hansard Reporters and my right hon. and hon. Friends, as well as both members of the Whips Office. I also thank hon. Members on the Government Benches, and the hon. Member for Upper Bann, who has joined the Committee today to represent the interests of the Democratic Unionist party.

I hope that the Committee has shown that where there is agreement on legislation, the Opposition can act in a constructive way. We have tried to point to some issues that concerned us, and I hope that the Minister will reflect on those. Depending on what the Minister says during his correspondence and after reflection, we may table amendments on Report to continue with some of the themes that we have raised today.

I am grateful to the Minister, the police and the Doorkeepers, and to all those who have made today’s sitting so short and efficient. This Bill commenced  under the Labour Government, and we support it in principle. That is why we have taken the unusual step of not dragging out proceedings—those hon. Members who have served on a Public Bill Committee with me during the past few weeks know that I am capable of doing that if required.