Overseas Electors Bill

Lord Hanson of Flint Excerpts

Friday 22nd March 2019 Commons Chamber

[David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab)]

rose—

[Neil O’Brien]

rose—

[Philip Davies]

My hon. Friend has had a good knock so far, so if he will forgive me, I will give way to the right hon. Gentleman.

[David Hanson]

The point that the hon. Member for Redditch (Rachel Maclean) made is surely erroneous, in the sense that members of the armed forces will not be overseas for 15-plus years. They will be serving overseas for short periods. The people overseas for 15-plus years are those who have divorced themselves from the United Kingdom for a long period.

[Philip Davies]

I think the right hon. Gentleman is also referring to the merits of the whole Bill, and I had just said that I did not really want to get into that at this stage. Third Reading is probably the best time to deal with that. Indeed, I am sure that we can save up all these points for then. I am rather anxious to get back to new clause 1, but I will first give way to my hon. Friend the Member for Harborough.