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Companies Bill [Lords]

I also have no objection to these new clauses. They are entirely reasonable and sensible. However, I wish to observe that amendment No. 118 makes an extraordinary powerful change; it brings in a comma. I observe for the benefit of the hon. Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Brokenshire), who tabled the amendment, that he should perhaps bear in mind the words of one of the great observers of political life on that kind of amendment, which he refers to as comma-hunting. F. M. Cornford said:"““Another sport which wastes unlimited time is Comma hunting. Once start a comma and the whole pack will be off, full cry, especially if they have had a literary training…But comma-hunting is so exciting as to be a little dangerous. When attention is entirely concentrated on punctuation, there is some fear that the conduct of business may suffer, and a proposal get through without being properly obstructed on its own demerits.””" Question put and agreed to. Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill. Question, That new clauses 67 to 71 be brought up, read the First and Second time, and added to the Bill, put and agreed to.