Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 3)

Huw Irranca-Davies Excerpts

Tuesday 26th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Jo Swinson]

I gently point out to my hon. Friend that I did not say that this was something the usual channels were all okay with; I said that there has been a great deal of positivity across the House for the content of the Bill itself. It follows on from previous private Members’ Bills, and on Second Reading and in Committee it was generally welcomed by a large number of Members.

We believe that the programme motion allows sufficient time for scrutiny, because we rigorously tested the Bill on Second Reading and in Committee. Indeed, what we did not know when we passed the original programme motion was that consideration in Committee would finish early, so it was well scrutinised and the time that had been allocated was significantly more than ample.

[Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab)]

rose—

[Jo Swinson]

I will give way to one of the members of that fine Committee.

[Huw Irranca-Davies]

I concur with the Minister that all members of the Committee were fine members. Perhaps I can help to answer question asked by the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone). One reason the Committee got through the Bill faster than anticipated, which we hope we might do again today, was the Government’s fantastic decision to change their mind and include in the Bill the power to impose financial penalties, which saved a lot of time and might also help us today.