| European Parliament (Representation) Bill
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Mr. Andrew Rosindell (Romford): I agree with my hon. Friend. Does he agree that there can be no clearer example of the Government's demonstrating a colonial and imperialist attitude than the recent negotiations on joint sovereignty with Spain, over and above the heads of the people of Gibraltar? The Chairman: Order. I ask every member of the Committee to stick to rather than add to the points that we are required to scrutinise. Mr. Cash: My hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Mr. Rosindell) makes his own point. Consultation is part and parcel of good relations, and good relations are improved if there is some give and take. In the context of the Bill, there is much more take than give. The Government were driven to introduce the Bill and are acting in a de minimis fashion. Column Number: 160 The hon. Member for Somerton and Frome provided us with an insight into the comprehensive arguments that have been advanced by the Liberal Democrat party on the matter. As it happens, there is much symmetry between their approach and the fundamental points that we have put forward, although we did not discuss the issues before we tabled our amendments. It is an extraordinary and satisfactory coincidence that we have ended up with similar approaches to all the fundamental points. We can now leave the Committee, with your leave, Mr. Cook, with the knowledge that we have had full analysis of the Bill, and that we will have a useful and constructive dialogue before Report and discussions on Report that will further elucidate and improve the Bill. The Chairman: I must say that that was a fairly comprehensive stand part speech without any comment on what to do with the amendment. Mr. Cash: Indeed, Mr. Cook. In the circumstances, I am happy to beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill. Mr. Heath: If I may rise on the last clause under debate, I wish only to express my thanks to you, Mr. Cook, and your co-Chairman. I also thank the Minister for carefully considering our points. However, there are still serious matters to debate on Report. Many of the replies that the Minister gave are conditional on further amendments and consideration and on dialogue with the Government of Gibraltar. That will very much colour the attitude of my colleagues on Report and, indeed, when the Bill goes to another place for discussion. For speed and expediency, it would be helpful if some of the comments that were made in this Committee were listened to and acted on at subsequent stages of the Bill. Mr. Cash: I thank you, Mr. Cook— The Chairman: We have not finished yet. Mr. Cash: In that case, I shall be happy to wait. Yvette Cooper: On a point of order, Mr. Cook. I want to thank you— The Chairman: Order. We are in the middle of dealing with the clause. Question put and agreed to. Clause 25 ordered to stand part of the Bill. Question proposed, That the Chairman do report the Bill to the House. Yvette Cooper: I thank you, Mr. Cook, and your co-Chairman, Mr. Taylor, as well as my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East (Dr. Kumar), who took the Chair briefly, for guiding us admirably and efficiently. Thank you for dealing with perambulation, wherever it arose, and for helping to ensure that we had an in-depth and generally constructive debate on the issues in this important Bill. Column Number: 161 I thank my hon. Friends for their support and patience throughout our sittings and all members of the Committee for their informed contributions. I also thank the Clerk and other Officers of the House for supporting the Committee. Mr. Cash: I concur with the thanks to you, Mr. Cook, for chairing the Committee. I also thank the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome for the constructive way in which we have been able to discuss the Bill. I cannot claim to have been entirely satisfied with the Minister's responses and I shall not over-indulge my congratulations to Labour Members Column Number: 162 for their massive contribution of silence to our proceedings.I am pleased to add my thanks to your colleagues, Mr. Cook, who took the Chair from time to time. I also thank my hon. Friends who have been with me throughout these proceedings. Question put and agreed to. Bill to be reported, without amendment. Committee rose at eighteen minutes to Eleven o'clock.
The following Members attended the Committee:
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| Prepared 16 January 2003 | |
