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Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill

I put on the record my gratitude to the Minister for tabling Amendments Nos. 48 and 49, which reflect the recommendations of the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee, because it is not always the case that the Home Office comes forward with acceptance of those recommendations in Committee. It is always much more appropriate that that should be done in Committee where possible, because if there are any outstanding contentious matters—which I do not think there should be in this case—it gives noble Lords the opportunity to use the Committee stage procedure to question, or cross examine, the Minister. It also means that valuable time on Report, which is necessarily constricted, is not eaten into. I am very grateful to the Minister and her officials for being so quick in their response. I would hope that it will be good practice throughout, but in my bitter experience it is not. For the benefit of those who read our proceedings rather than those taking part, it is also important to put on the record that in Grand Committee the rules are that government amendments may be made in this format only if all Members of the Committee agree. I therefore signify our agreement to all four amendments.