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Commons Bill [HL]

My Lords, it is surely significant that at the Third Reading of this important Bill, the Opposition Front Bench—my noble friends Lady Byford and the Duke of Montrose—have moved only three amendments, which are amendments to Clause 15. I think that they are very important. As the clause stands, it imposes too long a period before change can be made when change might well need to be made. That would lead to stagnation, which we must avoid. So I warmly support Amendments Nos. 7 and 8. We shall come separately to Amendment No. 9, which is slightly different in that it refers to charity. But I hope that the Government will keep an open mind on the strong case that my noble friend Lady Byford has put.