Mr.
Timms: May I say a few words of thanks on behalf of the
Committee? We have all enjoyed serving under your chairmanship,
Mr. Key, and that of Mr. Caton, your co-Chairman.
I thank the Clerks for the way in which we have been kept efficiently
at our task. We have had a fascinating series of discussions, and we
have had a thorough debate on the Bill’s content. The support
from members of the Committee of all parties for tackling child poverty
is encouraging.
My hon.
Friends have followed these matters closely and, in some cases, for a
long time. I am grateful for their help, support and arguments. The
hon. Member for Northavon has great expertise in the matter, which he
deployed to good effect. We have benefited from the contributions of
the hon. Members for South-West Bedfordshire and for South-West
Hertfordshire, and other Opposition Members.
I was
particularly pleased to establish common cause with the hon. Member for
Beverley and Holderness on antipathy to split infinitives, if not much
else. I thank my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for Work and Pensions,
who has helped to steer her first Bill as Minister through the
Committee with such aplomb and gusto.
I also thank
our officials, the Hansard writers, the Doorkeepers, the police
officers and all who have fulfilled their duties so
ably.
Mr.
Gauke: Further to those remarks, may I add my thanks to
you, Mr. Key, and to Mr. Caton for chairing our
proceedings so efficiently, effectively and good naturedly? May I also
add my thanks to the Clerks, the attendants, the police, and the
Hansard writers? I also thank the witnesses whom we heard during
our first four sittings. Their evidence guided us, and was helpful to
the
Committee. I
thank the Ministers. The Financial Secretary is absolutely right to say
that the Committee has been conducted in a good natured way. I thank
him for the steadiness and calm that he brings to such matters, and I
thank the Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, who brought
her own qualities, which the Committee has thoroughly enjoyed in the
past few days, to our
proceedings. I
thank the hon. Member for Northavon. It appears that his whole career
was but preparation for the last few days. To see someone so in their
element was a joy. However, I sympathise because this is probably as
good as it gets for
him. I
thank the Whips, my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay and the hon.
Member for Leeds, East, for keeping things running smoothly and for
some Divisions where there was a bit of excitement. The clever use of
the conventions of the House by the hon. Member for Leeds, East to
ensure that the Bill was unamended never ceased to
impress. I
should particularly like to thank my hon. Friend the Member for
South-West Bedfordshire for his sterling work. He brings an almost
passionate expertise to this issue and is highly regarded by all those
who are focused on
it. In
comparison with the Finance Bills, of which I have more experience,
Back Benchers from all parties have made considerable contributions. I
thank my hon. Friend the Member for Henley, whose expertise on local
government matters was valuable, and my hon. Friend the Member for
Beverley and Holderness, who enlivened the Committee with his
forthright views—he was never knowingly understated—and
added a great deal to our
Committee.
Steve
Webb: I associate myself with the remarks that have
already been made. My hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, West
graciously allowed me to hog the amendments that we moved. He was
champing at the bit and I am grateful to him for allowing me to let
rip.
If I were to
table an amendment on Report to delete paragraph 19(1) of schedule
1—the disqualification of hon. Members of this House from the
chairmanship of the child poverty commission—I hope that that
would be approved without Division, just for fun,
really. I
associate myself with the comment made about the positive nature of
this Committee. During the Committee stage of my first Bill in this
House in 1997, Government Back Benchers were literally doing their
Christmas cards. This has been quite different. All the Labour Back
Benchers are knowledgeable, have a track record
and a lot to contribute. I appreciate their tabling their own amendments
and making their own arguments, enriching the quality of our
debate. We
have given the Bill a good going over. I am only sad that we cannot get
straight on with Report and that we have a few weeks to wait. I thank
you for your chairmanship, Mr. Key, and look forward to
serving under you
again. Question
put and agreed
to. Bill,
as amended, accordingly to be
reported. 6.53
pm Committee
rose.
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