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Identity Cards Bill

Perhaps I may say something on this point. I was rather puzzled when so many noble Lords got to their feet and said ““Before the Minister sits down”” and all that sort of dodge, when the Minister had in fact firmly sat down. But it is quite unnecessary. We are in Committee, not on Report, and therefore it is perfectly open to any noble Lord to get to his or her feet at any time after the Minister has spoken. I usually find it much more convenient and sensible in Committee to speak after the Minister rather than before, because I have no idea what they will say. When we discussed the previous amendment, it seemed to me that the Minister missed an opportunity to say: ““Of course I accept this amendment, because all the Secretary of State would be asked to do are things that he would be bound to do anyhow””. In fact my noble friend on the Front Bench was more than reasonable, and I would have had great difficulty in supporting such a flabby amendment.