Professional Qualifications Bill (HL). Committee stage first sitting.

Programme motion agreed to. Written evidence motion agreed to. Clause 1 agreed to. Amendment to clause 2 negatived on division (7 votes to 9). Clauses 2 to 3 agreed to. Clause 4, discussed with new clause 1 (Advice for regulators concerning mutual recognition), agreed to. Clauses 5 to 8 agreed to. Amendment to clause 9 negatived on division (7 votes to 9). Clauses 9 to 13 agreed to. Amendment to clause 14 negatived on division (6 votes to 9). Clauses 14 to 20 agreed to. Government amendment to clause 21 to remove the Lords' privilege amendment, agreed to. Clause 21 agreed to as amended. New clause 1 withdrawn. New clause 2 (Skills shortages reporting) debated and negatived on division (7 votes to 9). New clause 3 (Protection for existing recognised qualifications) debated and negatived on division (7 votes to 9). New clause 4 (List of current regulators) debated and withdrawn. Bill, as amended, to be reported (Bill 231). Written evidence reported to the House.