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Education and Skills Bill

My Lords, I beg to move that the Bill do now pass. In moving this Motion, I should like to detain your Lordships' House for a short while to say thank you to all those who have worked with us on the Bill. In particular, I should like to thank all Back-Bench Peers who have taken part in debates throughout this lengthy process, particularly the Back-Benchers on the Opposition Benches, who have been very patient with me as a new Minister, and the Cross-Benchers who have, as ever, shared their wisdom with us. Of course I would never want to forget the value of so many positive suggestions made by my noble friends on the Benches behind me. I offer warm thanks to Members on the Opposition Front Bench for their thoughtful and constructive contributions to the Bill. It has been a real honour to work with them. Lastly, I thank Anna Bush, Rupert Ainley and the very able Bill team who have supported me and my noble friends Lord Adonis and Lord Young. We are fortunate to have such able support in the department and I am very grateful to them. This is an historic Bill. We are sending it back to the other place as a stronger, fuller and better Bill. As I said in closing the debate at Second Reading, I believe that it is a landmark Bill in education terms, possibly comparable with the Fisher Act of 1918. It is important that we press forward with it, given the climate we find ourselves in today. Moved, That the Bill do now pass.—(Baroness Morgan of Drefelin.) On Question, Bill passed, and returned to the Commons with amendments.