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Electoral Administration Bill

We often pass imperfect legislation, but legislation is always improved by proper consultation. I pay tribute to the Minister of State, who has conducted herself in an exemplary manner in that regard. I am particularly grateful for her help, support and encouragement with the amendments that I tabled. I am also grateful for the great help that I received from my hon. Friend the Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald), who has led so ably from our Front Bench, and from the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath). This has been a good exercise in co-operative working in Parliament and the law is being significantly improved as a result. I am also grateful to the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Devine), who looked after my interests in Committee. I appreciate that, because his predecessor, Robin Cook, was one of the sponsors of my private Member’s Bill, which led to the amendments that I tabled. I am aware that other hon. Members wish to speak, and I hope that my hon. Friend the Member for Chichester (Mr. Tyrie) will catch your eye, Mr. Deputy Speaker, because he has done valiant work on service voters, although he has yet to see a result. I hope, however, that as a result of the Bill’s consideration in another place, he will.