Dr.
Pugh: When selected to serve on the Committee, I thought
the Bill might be dull. It has not always been fascinating, but it has
been highly technical and important. It has been a sharp learning curve
for me. I was helped by the tenor of the meetings, which has been
measured and thoughtful throughout, for which all
Members—experts and non-experts—should take credit. There
are those in the room who are expert—certainly more so than I
am. Credit must also be given to the Chairmen, who have kept us going
in a businesslike and totally fair way. The Clerks, too, have been very
helpful and efficient and deserve our sympathy because they have
endured every one of the 17 meetings, as has the
Minister. Stewart
Hosie (Dundee, East) (SNP): I, too, thank you,
Mr. Gale, your co-Chairs and the Clerks. It is worth putting
on the record that when representing a minority party on Committees, I
sometimes do not make a huge contribution. Once those on the
Conservative Front Bench have read out briefing notes from outside
bodies and those comments have been picked up by the Liberal Democrats,
there tends to be little left for me to say. However, I hope the
contribution has been useful, and when we get to Report and beyond,
there may yet be some amendments and changes that can improve the Bill
still
further.
The
Chairman: As the Committee has been hopelessly out of
order for the past five minutes or so, let me compound the situation by
adding my own thanks to the Officers of the House, the constabulary and
those others without whom our work would be impossible. May I also
express my thanks to the Committee for the exemplary courtesy and good
humour with which these proceedings have been conducted? The Chair
appreciates it, and I only wish the general public had the opportunity
to see and appreciate it. It is not widely reported, but it is a very
good
thing. Question
put and agreed to.
Bill, as
amended, to be
reported. Committee
rose at seventeen minutes to One
o’clock.
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