European Union (Amendment) Bill

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for offering to give way before I had even indicated that it might be convenient. What the hon. Gentleman is doing is reading into clause 3(4) the word ““modify””. I recognise that the noun ““amendments”” is also there, but as I said earlier, that is qualified by the second half of the provision, which states,"““to reflect changes in terminology or numbering arising out of the Treaty of Lisbon””." The hon. Gentleman talks about the surprise of members of the public, but I believe that they would be surprised if, when a provision needs renumbering, we have to have a debate on the Floor of the House to provide for it, which is what would happen if the amendment were passed.