That is absolutely right. I was going to refer to that, but I am grateful to my hon. Friend for making the point.
I want to refer to what section 125 actually does say, because the proposal is to remove that tonight, in the face of our opposition. The explanatory notes accompanying the Bill state what they do:
“These Explanatory Notes have been prepared by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office…to help inform debate”
and
“in order to assist the reader of the Bill”.
However, paragraph 52 of the notes gives no explanation and simply says:
“Paragraph 25 provides that section 125 of the 2000 Act does not apply for the purposes of this referendum”,
and then mentions a consequential amendment. There is no explanation at all. That itself is a reason for our being concerned about the way this is being done.
I want to return to the question of what we are repealing. What is in the 2000 Act is very sound. It refers to
“any material which—
(a) provides general information about a referendum to which this Part applies;
(b) deals with any of the issues raised by any question on which such a referendum is being held;
(c) puts any arguments for or against any particular answer to any such question; or
(d) is designed to encourage voting at such a referendum.”
It is very comprehensive.