European Union (Amendment) Bill

I do not have time to give way, I am afraid. If the Government wish to be constructive, here is an opportunity for them, between now and when we may well vote on this next week, to indicate that they accept the amendment. I noted that what my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) said about new clause 8 had certain support on the Liberal Democrat Benches. Amendment No. 13 would do nothing to damage the Government's position. It would provide the reassurance that the lack of clarity in the original text does not provide about this House not being mandated to do anything. For those reasons alone, it is beyond my comprehension that the Government will not accept an amendment that is slight, innocuous—as the Minister himself seems to acknowledge—and would go a long way towards meeting some of the criticisms that have been made of the text of the treaty. That text is poorly worded; in places, it is not even proper English. I will point out to the Minister on another occasion just how sloppily the drafting is that has taken place. I urge the Minister to accept amendment No. 13. If he will not, as he seems to have indicated, I am afraid that I will put it to the vote. It being two and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings, the Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means put forthwith the Question already proposed from the Chair, pursuant to Order [28 January and this day]. The Committee divided: Ayes 156, Noes 350.