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Private Equity (Transfer of Undertakings and Protection of Employment) Bill

When I read the Bill of my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Heppell) last night, I was not anticipating the sort of debate that we have just had. To be frank, I had not realised that Huntingdon and hyperbole went so well together. We have had gross overstatement from Conservative Members, compared with the innate decency in my hon. Friend's presentation of his Bill in his excellent introductory speech. That decency is reflected in the measure that he has put before the House—a measure inviting a Second Reading. We have heard much talk about parliamentary procedure, and I note that one hon. Member spoke for well over an hour, although he is no longer in his place. Yet ““Erskine May”” tells us that on Second Reading, we have the right to look at and examine a Bill and know that at later stages in Committee and on Report—