[Mr Adrian Sanders in the Chair]

Before we begin, I have a couple of preliminary announcements. Will people please switch any electronic devices to silent? I do not see anyone with tea and office, but tea and coffee are not allowed during sittings. The Committee will first be asked to consider the programme motion, on which debate is limited to half an hour. We will then consider a motion to report written evidence and then a motion to permit the Committee to deliberate in private in advance of the oral evidence session. In view of the time available, I hope that we can take those matters formally. Assuming agreement, we will then move into private session to agree questions, and then witnesses and members of the public will be invited back into the room and our oral evidence session will begin.

Ordered,

That—

(1) the Committee shall (in addition to its first meeting at 12 noon on Thursday 4 September) meet—

(a) at 2.00 pm on Thursday 4 September;

(b) at 8.55 am and 2.00 pm on Tuesday 9 September;

(c) at 8.55 am and 2.00 pm on Tuesday 14 October;

(2) the Committee shall hear oral evidence in accordance with the following Table:

Date

Time

Witness

Thursday 4 September

Until no later than 12.30 pm

Law Society

Thursday 4 September

Until no later than 1.00 pm

National Council for Voluntary Organisations

Thursday 4 September

Until no later than 2.45 pm

Health and Safety Executive

Fire Brigades Union

Thursday 4 September

Until no later than 4.00 pm

Association of Personal Injury Lawyers

Forum of Insurance Lawyers

Thompsons Solicitors

Irwin Mitchell, solicitors

Thursday 4 September

Until no later than 4.30 pm

National Union of Teachers

UNISON

(3) the proceedings shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at 5.00 pm on Tuesday 14 October —(Mr Vara.)

Resolved,

That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication—(Mr Vara.)

Resolved,

That, at this and any subsequent meeting at which oral evidence to be heard, the Committee shall sit in private until the witnesses are admitted—(Mr Vara.)

The Committee deliberated in private.