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Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. They arrived very late in the day, as did this Committee sitting. Last week, we did not even know that it was going to happen, despite the fact that we had repeatedly pointed out that the number of Committee days available were insufficient for the House's needs. Now we have our debate, however, and let us not decry the fact that we have amendments—albeit late in the day—and a day in which to discuss them. I intend to raise certain points, not to criticise the proposals but to ask for amplification on some of them, and that the Secretary of State look more closely at the implications of others. My general position is that we will support amendments of this kind, although there are some detailed considerations that it will be proper for us to raise. My first point relates to a matter that the Lord Chancellor touched on in his speech—the question of who will appoint the compliance officer.