Welfare Reform Bill

My Lords, I want to put a question to the Committee. We are going into a major new topic, which is underoccupancy. My amendment is primarily about the nature of the stock. Then there are additional issues about individual clients—foster carers and so on—who may be affected. I could be wrong, but even just on my amendment, were the Minister to have time to reply—given possible other contributions from people who may be as concerned as I am—we will here be till 6.30, or later. I wonder whether that is wise, given that we have been sitting for three and a half hours. I am perfectly happy to continue and I do not want to delay the Committee, but I would be unhappy to see us start an amendment and stop halfway through the discussion. Conventionally, we conclude discussion of an amendment—that has always been the case on the Floor of the House and I would expect it to apply here—so that the debate is coherent. However, I suspect that that would take us well past the closing time of 6 pm. I do not know how other Members of the Grand Committee feel, but perhaps if they have views on this they could indicate that. I realise that this is a matter for the usual channels, but it is slightly unprecedented to be off the Floor of the House and starting such a big debate. Furthermore, Amendments 34A and 35 should really be taken together in the same range of debate. We could not possibly do that tonight. I do not want to be unhelpful, but I feel that it is slightly awkward to start now. However, I absolutely respect the will of the Committee.