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House of Lords (Members’ Taxation Status) Bill [HL]

My Lords, it is slightly unusual and novel for me to deal with this matter, but I am happy to do so. I say to the noble Lord, Lord Trefgarne, that this is the second time—not any other number of occasions—that I have introduced a Bill in this form. He is right: I introduced a separate, rather different and much smaller—and, I believe, not effective—Bill in previous Sessions, but that did not progress. This is the second time that I have introduced it in this form. However, what is totally different is that we are deeming, or seeking to deem, people to be residents of this country. He is quite right: I introduced the Bill in the same form at the beginning of this Session as in the previous one, although it had had detailed consideration. My noble friend Lord Goodhart and I took careful note of the Second Reading debate in January, and subsequently tabled the amendments before us today. Therefore, we have taken account of what was said. However, it is the second time that the Bill has been introduced and we now look forward to moving forward.