Commons Bill [HL]

We have had a useful debate, and I thank the Minister for his detailed comments on the clause. However, he has not entirely convinced me. As the noble Baroness, Lady Byford, said in relation to subsection (4), it is not altogether clear that the Minister’s assurance about an enactment is in fact contained in subsection (2). If that is the case—I am sure that the Minister is sincere in this regard—then it should state that, but it does not do so at the moment. If it did, that would at least clarify the situation somewhat. At present, Clause 34 seems to be a bit over the top. I understand what the Minister said about previous Acts of Parliament—that they are 19th century, past their sell-by date and need modernising in terms of the priorities of a commons association. That was explained, but there are still certain anomalies in Clause 34.