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Fiscal Responsibility Bill

The amendment would allow the Bill's suspension for a year. I am all in favour of not having the Bill—I voted against it on Second Reading and intend to vote against it on Third Reading. However, if we are to have it—Labour Members are in the majority and show no inclination to vote it down—we, as a responsible Opposition party, will try to make it as workable as possible. It is perverse to have no provision between now and 2016 for exceptional events when, two years ago, the Government were unable to predict the current exceptional budget deficit. For that reason, I will press the amendment to a Division. The Committee divided: Ayes 203, Noes 276.