International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Bill

With your leave, Mr. Speaker, I shall reply briefly to one or two of the points that have been made. The hon. Member for Boston and Skegness (Mark Simmonds) may now be aware that Government amendments and amendments from my right hon. Friend the Member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill (Mr. Clarke) are being tabled as we speak. I recognise that Members like to have early sight of Government amendments; nevertheless, all will want the Government to take time to get them right. I hope that Opposition Members—and, indeed, Government Members—will appreciate the amendments that are being tabled. The hon. Member for Boston and Skegness asked about the distribution of expenditure and whether some will be front-loaded. Some investment in new systems will indeed be required, so some front-loading will be necessary. He also asked why a three-year period is specified, given that it will take seven years to reach the 0.7 per cent. target. The three-year period relates to the comprehensive spending review period. We will not necessarily be able to speed up progress toward the 0.7 per cent. target; it would take the international finance facility to do that. If the hon. Gentleman is aware of any leakage, I hope that he will inform us of it, so that we can take action to correct it. I can reassure him that I foresee no scenario in which we will have to withdraw the money resolution. The hon. Member for Kettering (Mr. Hollobone) asked whether Government time and other assistance might be needed to speed up the Bill’s passage. Given that it has the support of Front Benchers in all parts of the House, there should be no circumstances in which Government time is needed to progress the Bill. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman could seek reassurance from the right hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Mr. Forth) that he agrees with that assessment. The right hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst asked for more information on the distribution of costs. The regulatory impact assessment was, I believe, made available in the Library last year, and it provides some clarity on how the costs are set out. Question put and agreed to.