Business of the House

I endorse wholeheartedly the comments made by the hon. Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Mrs. Hodgson). In the light of the statement that the right hon. and learned Lady made on Thursday 5 March at column 1007 of the Official Report that the equality Bill will be introduced "in a few months", may we please have a statement on the timetable for its publication and progress? As an enthusiastic supporter of the Bill, may I say that, although my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) greeted the potential delay that that statement implied with joy and exultation, to me the possibility of having to wait till June, July or beyond represents a cruel and degrading punishment, potentially beyond endurance?